IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 
.Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)  172-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Tachnical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  tachniques  at  bibliographiquas 


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toth( 


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copy  which  -nay  tM  bibliographically  uniqua, 
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tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chacicad  balow. 


D 


D 
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I      I  Pages  detached/ 

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Thei 
possi 
of  thi 
filmit 


Origii 
begir 
theli 
sion, 
othei 
first  I 
sion, 
or  ill! 


The  I 
shall 
TINU 
whici 

Mapi 
diffai 
entiri 
begir 
right 
requi 
meth 


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Ca  document  est  film*  au  taux  da  rMuction  indiquA  ci-daaaous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 

I   I   M   I   I   LI   I   I   I   I   I   I 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


aox 


24X 


28X 


32X 


lire 

details 
Lies  du 

modifier 
9er  une 

filmage 


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Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


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6es 


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premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
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symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 


re 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
fiimte  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reprodult  en  un  seul  cllch6, 11  est  fiimd  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


y  errata 
Id  to 

nt 

le  peiure, 

i9on  d 


U 


1  2  3 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

SEVEN  YEARS  v  F  MY  LIFE, 


O  R 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  PATRIOT  EXILE. 


WHO  TOGETHER  WITH 


y  t.-4 
f    1  ■ 
I 


EIGHTY-TVVO   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


WEIiH  ILLEGALLY  TRIED  FOR  REBELLION  I.N  UPPER  CANADA  IN   1838. 
AND  TRANSPORTED  TO  VAN  DIEMAN's  LAND, 


COMPRISING  Jl  TRUE  ACCOUNT 

OF  OUR  OUTRAGEOUS  TREATxMENT  DURTNGTEN  MONTHS  IMPRISONMENT 
IN  UPPER  CANADA,  AND  FOUR  MONTHS  OF  HORRIBLE  SUF- 
FERING IN  A  TRANSPORT  SHIP  ON  THE  OCEAN, 


WITH    A 


TRUE  BUT  APPALLING  HISTORY 


OF  OUR  CRUEL    AND   UNMERCIFUL   TREATMENT    nURINO    FIVE  TEARS    OF    UNMITIGATED 
SDFFERINO  ON  THAT  DETESTABLE  I'RISON  ISLAND.      SHOWINO,  ALSO,  THE 
CRUELTY   AND    BARBARITY    OF  THE  BRITISH  GOVERNMENT  TO 
ITS  PRISONERS  GENERALLY  IN  THAT  PENAL  COLONY, 


I 


WITH   A 


Concise  account  of  the  Island  its  Inhabitants,  Frodnetions  &c.  kt. 


BY    ROBERT     MARSH. 


Freedom  before  Aristocracy,  If  Liberty  be  your  motto,  support  and  defend  it  under 
all  cir^'.umstances,  otherwise  you  aid  and  assist  the  friends  of  Monarchy. 


BUFFAIiO: 

PAXON    t    STEVENS. 

1848. 


IT 


•'t< 

.1*!' 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  18J7  by 

ROBERT     MARSH, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Northern  District  of  New  Yorlt. 


.1     I  • 
I 


PREFACE. 


♦  Some  apology  may  be  considered  due,  for  presenting  to  the  pub- 
lic another  work  detniling  tlje  sufferings  and  privations  of  those 
who  took  a  part  in  tlie  attempt  to  free  the  province  of  Canada 
from  British  rule.  On  a  careful  examination  of  the  various  publi- 
cations now  before  tlie  public,  the  author  of  the  following  imper- 
fect narrative  has  been  led  to  the  conclusion  that,  still  another  is 
necessary;  and  being  aware  that  publications  of  every  description 
are  numerous,  and  that  fiction  in  the  garb  of  truth,  is  almost  as 
numerous,  I  had  great  diffidence  in  attempting  a  description  of  the 
suffering  of  myself  and  companions  during  our  illegal  and  unjust 
confinement  in  a  British  penal  colony;  and  not  until  strongly  urged 
by  my  friends,  could  f  he  induced  to  make  the  attempt.  And, 
although  this  work  is  far  too  brief  to  give  as  full  and  detailed 
account,  as  I  am  aware  the  nature  of  the  case  demands  (and  I  may 
have  failed  in  th;\t  respect)  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
what  I  have  said,  is  truth,  without  coloring  or  exaggeration. 

Having  experienced  to  my  satisfaction,  the  tender  mercies  of  a 
corrupt  aristocracy,  which  I  fear  is  rapidly  and  to  an  alarming 
degree,  extending  its  principles  to  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  I  would 
raise  my  feeble  note  of  warning,  for  all  to  be  on  their  guard;  and 
may  the  time  soon  come,  when  North  America  will  awake  andTid 
herself  of  a  set  of  crouching  menials  to  that  proud,  haughty  and  ty- 
ranlcal  spirit  which  has  cost  great  sacrifice  of  life  in  all  ages  to  sub- 
due, and  that  is  now,  as  it  always  has  been,  tending  not  only  to  mon- 
archy, but  despotism.  Friends  of  liberty,  awake  !  let  not  your 
birthright  be  wrested  from  you  in  an  unguarded  moment,  by  this 
fearfully  numerous  bandit,  whose  prospect  now  is  fair  to  reign  and 


U\ 


w- 


if 


^    ( 


f  I 


I 


'A 


•  >• 


,  * 


i     » 


IV 


PREFACE. 


rule  triumphant !  They  assume  various  formsj  in  order  to  obtain 
and  retain  power,  whereby,  the  more  easily  to  oppress  and  enslave 
the  people.  I  have  seen  tyranny  in  its  worst  form:  and  can  say, 
with  another  that  "I  have  seen  meanness  allied  to  wealth,  crime 
covered  with  the  cloak  of  sanctity,  corruption  sittiiij'T  boldly  on  the 
bench  of  justice,  and  wrong  and  Ircaciiery  in  every  station  and 
under  every  disguise;  and  frequently  in  the  long,  black  mantle  of 
hypocrisy." 

I  have  seen  not  a  few,  as  good  and  brave  men  as  any  nation  can 
boast  of,  for&aken  and  deceived  by  their  protended  friends  in  a  good 
cauFC;  and  left  by  them  in  the  hands  of  their  sworn  enemicF,  a 
description  of  whose  treatment,  in  their  hands,  cannot  bo  fully  por- 
trayed; and,  be  assured,  will  not  be  easily  forgotten,  whilst  my 
own  suflerings  are  continually  fresh  in  the  memory,  which,  together 
with  the  blood  of  many  of  my  murdered ^'omrades,  and  martyrs  to 
the  sacred  cause  of  liberty,  cry  for  vengeance  upcn  their  accursed 
heads,  would  it  be  wrong  to  wish  and  may  we  not  predict,  that 
vengeance  will,  ere  long  be  meted  out  in  full  and  overrunning  meas- 
ure upon  the  despots  and  enemies  to  universal  freedom;  that  the 
people,  not  only  of  Canada  but  the  United  States  and  the  whole 
world,  may  be  freed  from  despotism,  and  learn  that  their  true  pol- 
icy is  justice,"  and  their  utmost  wisdom,  to  do  right. 

To  the  reformers  of  Canada  and  to  the  friends  of  liberty  generally 
titese  few  true,  but  unpolished  lines  are  dedicated;  and  I  am  aware 
that  they  will  receive  censure  from  some,  and  possibly,  credence 
from  others:  be  assured  however,  that  your  humble  servant,  in  this 
work,  seeks  not  the  prais*  of  any  man  or  set  of  men,  but  rather  to 
narrate  things  as  they  were  without  fear  or  favor. 


I 


h 


the 


I  r 


'  i 


fores" 
th 


e 


ficuiti 


to  oblain 
1  enslave 
can  say, 
Ith,  crime 
ily  on  the 
:ation  and 
mantle  of 

nation  can  ^ 
3  in  fii  good 
cnemicF,  a 
I  fully  por- 

whilst  my 
h,  together 

martyrs  to 
sir  accursed 
reuict,  that 
ining  meas- 
m;  that  the 
d  the  whole 
2ir  true  pol- 

ty  generally 
I  am  aware 
y,  credence 
vant,  in  this 
lut  rather  to 


* 


NARRATIVE 


OF  A 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


CHAPTER  J. 


Engages  in  the  Patriot  Cause. 

With  reference  to  the  cause  of  the  distuibarcesin  Canada 
during  the  years  1837  and  1838  1  shall  not,  in  this  work, 
attempt  an  explanniion,  as  I  find  on  my  return  to  the  United 
States  a  number  of  Publications  have  been  issued,  which  ful- 
ly explain  the  grievances  of  the  people;  among  those  that  I 
have  seen  and  can  recommend  as  corrpct,  are  Mr.  Wait's, 
Gen.  W.  McLeod's,  Doct.  Thellkr's  and  oiheis  in  which 
the  cause  is  fullv  and  ffo'rlv  set  forth. 

I  am  aware  that  various  opinions  (14  respecting  that  ill- 
fated  and  much  to  be  lamented  transa^ttion;  1  say  ill-fated, 
because  parents  have  to  lament  the  loi^s  of  children,  and  wives 
of  their  husbands.  Thousands  here  and  in  different  parts 
of  the  Globe  were  looking  and  sincerely  praying  for  the  lib- 
eration of  the  Canadies;  hut  were  greatly  dihappointed,  af- 
ter many  and  repeated  aitemf)ts  were  made,  but  without  suc- 
cess, many  lives  lost  and  hundreds  thrown  into  prison,  oth- 
ers driven  from  their  homes  and  hunted  like  beasts  of  the 
forests,  children  left  fatherless,  and  their  wives  insulted  by 
the  Queen's  Soldiers.  After  all  this,  and  numerous  other  dif- 
Acuities  which  hundreds  were  subject  to,  after  some  thirty  or 


I  .*  ■' 


!  .  f^ 


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•t 


•1 


sill 
ft ' 


fh 


6 


N  A  an  ATI  \  E  Oi    A 


(' 


f  » 


i'i 


^ 


I 


fi/v 


11 


!'?/! 


^      I         f 


thirty-fivo  wero  cruelly  iniird(MC(.l  \\\i'  \\  ilio  gallowp,  ai:d  tigh- 
ty-two  after  untlergoini:,' a  mock  n  i.tl  in  L['por  Canntla  iimJ 
dragged  tlirougli  all  flirj  Alihy  Jails  "(  llio  rrovince,  londci 
with  chains,  nnd  iiisultc-l  in  evrry  jir:  ible  iri.'snner  hy  tyrants 
who  cling  to  monni'chy  lor  the  nrilve  of  some  [»r<ily  oirico,  nnd 
arc  always  ready  to  do  nn\  dirly  vvirlv  th-t  w  -y  bo  required, 
(and  it  is  nece.ssnry  that  ]''.i;[jl...nn  tlioii'd  hnvo  a  great  rnnny 
such  characters,  in  order  to  accninplisli  f  1!  t!io  dn;k  deeds 
for  whicli  slio  is  so  proverbial,)  CanaJf\  h'i..  iioi  bccu  back- 
ward in  furnishing  such  aid,  and  1  am  S('rry  to  say  that  sotne 
in  these  United  States  have  been  Nvilling  to  join  with  them  in 
condemning  nnd  persecuting  iho  cau;;e  of  Jjiherty,  or  those 
who  venturrd  their  lives  in  endeavoring;  tooblnin  it;  it  is  hard 
to  bo  persecuted  for  that  whicli  they  copsidrred  right,  and 
which  we  still  ci>nsider  a  righteous  cau'e.  but  in  failing  are 
subject  to  rej)ronch. 

I  am  a  native  of  the  stale  ol  New  Yorl:,  but  had  lived  in 
St.  Catharines  and  Chij)pawa,  Crnnda  VVe.;t,  about  four 
years  previous  to  the  rebellion;  whilst  there  was  engaged  with 
my  brother,  Charles,  in  the  Bnkin,';^  business.  I  was  employ. 
ed  a  great  part  of  my  time  in  sel'ing  Crncl:ers  through  the 
country:  consequently  had  an  o.>portuiiity  of  learning  some- 
thing of  the  opinion  of  tho  people.  Will  in m  Lyon  McKen- 
zie  and  others,  wero  for  years  previous  to  the  outbreak,  in 
News  Papers  and  Pamphlets  strongl}^  and  very  ably  advo- 
cating the  cause  of  liberty,  and  boldly  selling  forth  their 
grievances  which  to  me  appeared  reasonable  and  just.  If  1 
was  deceived  as  to  tho  justness  of  the  cause  1  believe  that  I 
am  not  alone;  there  were  Doctors.  Lnwyers,  Clergymen, 
Oenerals,  members  of  Congress,  Governors,  Deacons,  rich 
and  poor,  bond  and  free,  saying  "God  prosper  tho  cause  of 
Freedom  in  Canada.*' 

At  the  time  of  the  collecting  of  the  Pntriols  on  Navy  Isl- 
and, the  latter  part  of  November  1837,  my  residence  was  at 
Chippawa,  thftre  wero  some  circumstances  which  occurred 
at  the  time  Sir  Francis  Bond  Hend  with  his  forces,  contem- 
plated an  Rttact  upon  the  Island,  which,  if  possible,  increased 
my  antipathy  against  the  proceedings  of  the  "Government 
Party.'*  It  was  well  known  that  a  goodly  number  of  the 
wspectable  inhabitants  of  that  village  were  favorable  to  re- 
fbrm^      Consequently  many  of  them  were  obliged  to  forsake 


PATUIOT    EXILE. 


inda  nnil 
5,  lo"(lcd 
y  tyrants 
inco,  nnd 
required, 
:i,it  rnfiny 
r\:k  deeds 
ecu  bacU- 
ihat  some 
h  them  in 
,  or  those 
;  it  is  hard 
right,  and 
bailing  are 

id  lived  in 
iljout   four 
gngcd  with 
as  employ- 
irough  the 
ning  some- 
on  McKen- 
ntbrcak,  in 
ably  advo- 
forth   their 
just.     If  I 
liove  that  1 
Clergymen, 
aeons,  rich 
he  cause  of 

n  Navy  Isl- 
ence  was  at 
ch  occurred 
es,  contem- 
le,  increased 
Government 
Tiber  of  the 
orable  to  re- 
ed to  forsake 


their  houses  and  properly  to  acconimiHltite  tlio  SuldioriB  and 
Ofiicr  re.  It  v, .is  (lunp;ori  us  to  «poak*n  won)  in  favor  of  ihd 
patriots  or  re  jei;j,  an  liiey  wore  called  by  liie  (iuoon's  Inckeyp. 
there  wero  in  all  about  2000  Ue/'ularn.  Indians,  Negroes,  nnd 
tlioso  in  shape  of  men,  vnr\<\y  t^  do  or  say  ?ny  thing  !o  pieabo 
her  Gracious  lVlij?.sty's  HIokI  Hounds  tliat  thirsted  for  the 
bl  )od  of  llio  Tiian  that  d.ucd  to  spcuk  Mgain!<l  her  right  to  rule 
with  a  rod  of  iron.  'J'ho  reader  will  recollect  that  about  this 
lime  our  men  had  Hiilcd  to  ncconi[)lish  any  thing  at  or  near 
'JVronto,  on  YoM;>\)-L'troet,  through  a  misunderstanding  in 
some  of  llioir  loading  mon,  and  some  other  hiadrancoa  which 
I  nf'L'd  not  atleiUj'l  to  cxpliin  here,  ns  there  has  bcensoniucli 
»aid  upon  the  subject  of  their  failure,  there,  and  at  the  west, 
which  ol^liged  a  great  many  to  leave  tho  Province,  among  tho 
Icrtdiiig  men,  wer.j  MclCenzie,  Doct.  Duncomb,  Doct.  Rolph 
and  others  wliich  wororngiiged  in  the  cause;  many  were  tho 
F.peccliey  and  long,  rcispeciing  their  troubles  and  the  anxiety 
of  thousands  in  Canr.di  to  becomo  Cvee.  Finally  it  was  con- 
eluded  bi'st  to  occr.i)y  Navy  I>land,  t.iluated  about  one  mile 
above  Chippawn,  about  tiiroe-fourthsof  a  mile  from  the  Cana- 
dian shore,  and  about  one  nulo  from  the  American  shore,  con- 
tiining  about  three  livmurcd  acre^.  Hero  those  that  wero 
willing  could  assruiblo,  and  when  sufliciently  strong  could 
find  ilieir  way  througli  the  Province.  William  Lyon  Mc- 
Kenzie,  and  Gen.  Van  llensalear,  were  appointed  to  man- 
age there.  It  was  all  excitement  in  Buffalo,  Cleveland,  De- 
troit und  all  along  the  Frontier,  as  well  as  Lockport,  Roch- 
ester, and  in  fad,  l!ie  whole  country  was  awake;  many  and 
Ktrong  were  the  inducements  for  young,  as  well  as  married 
men,  to  engage  in  so  glorious  a  cause;  if.  they  had  families 
there  were  plenty  that  would  see  them 'provided  for.  The 
cause  of  the  failure  I  shall  not,  at  present,  attempt  to  explain; 
this  much,  however,  I  can  say,  there  wero  many  brave  and 
honest  hearts  e  .gaged  in  this  cause,  some  of  whom  have  Io»t 
their  property,  otbti's  their  liberty,  and  many  their  lives.-— 
Others  there  wero  that  had  much  to  say,  !>ut  dare  not  /gjo 
wheie  there  w.as  any  prospect  of  the  smell  of  gun-powder. — • 
"Only  make  a  stjnd,"  say  tliey  "and  we  will  come  over." 
The  truth  is, — the  wont  of  these  men. to  help  make  tho 
stand,  was  one  principal  cause  of  the  failure;  and  because  of 
thess  men  promising  to  assist,  and  failing  to  kc^p  their  prom- 


V*    \tn 


■  vl 


*     •■«' 


'i'  i 


*  'A 


■aiyaMHi 


8 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


(^ 


i^. 


I    f 


i    1 


jse,  hundreds  that  were  honest  and  faithful,  (on  failing,}  have 
been  subject  to  persecution;  yes,  and  from  some  of  these 
very  men  that  promised  so  much,  and  performed  so  little.  No 
doubt  Washington  would  have  failed  if  he  had  been  blest, 
or  rather  cursed  with  sucli  aid. 

It  was  now  all  bustle  in  Chippawa,  and  great  preparitions 
were  being  made  to  dislodge  the  patriots  from  their  f  ^rong 
hold  on  the  Island.  They  were  collcciing  and  con'^entro- 
ting  all  their  forces  at  Chippewa;  boats  of  every  description 
were  brought  from  difleronl  parts,  at  the  same  time  they  were 
mustering  all  their  cannon,  and  mortars,  intending  to  drive 
ihem  off;  one  would  think  by  ihoir  talk,  that  they  would  not 
only  kill  them  oil,  but  with  their  cannon  mow  down  all  the 
ti'ees  and  what  the  balls  failed  in  hitting,  the  trees  would  fall 
upon,  and  thus  demolish  the  whole  Patriot  army. 

I  had  been  a  spectator  as  yet,  but  began  to  think  that  I 
must  soon  become  on  actor  on  one  side  or  the  other.  After 
I  had  been  told  by  a  friend  who  was  ocrjuainted  with  most 
ol  their  plans,  who  was  obliged,  however,  to  think  much  but 
say  little,  ho  told  me  that  it  was  the  intention  to  raise  a  party 
and  proceed  that  night  in  small  boats  across  the  river  to  burn 
or  send  over  the  Falls  the  Steamboat  Caroline.  I  told  him 
I  thought  not,  as  that  boat  was  not  armed,  and  it  being  an 
American  boat,  at  an  American  wharf,  and  there  being  no 
armed  force  near  the  place,  that  they  dare  not  commit  such 
an  act,  as  it  would  be  infringing  not  only  on  the  rights  of  pri- 
vate individuals,  but  likewise,  on  the  rights  of  the  nation;  not- 
withstanding all  this,  I  teld  him  I  thought  the  British  Gov- 
ernment, would  not  sanction  such  a  cowardly  act,  and  if  they 
did  the  United  Stat^  Government,  would  have  some  thing  to 
say  and  do  in  the  matter,  why  says  I  the  people  would  not 
even  wait  for  orders,  but  would  rush  into  Canada,  and  com- 
pletely exterminate  all  that  dared  to  lift  a  sword,  or  shoulder  a 
musket  in  defence  of  such  a  dastardly,  insulting,  and  tyranical 
deed;  "but  they  are  already  jtreparing  some  five  or  six  boats, 
and  it  will  be  done  this  very  night,'*  said  he.  "I  cannot  be- 
lieve that  that  is  their  intention,"  I  replied.  He  again  assured 
me  that  it  was  so,  saying  ^'depend  upon  it"  His  words  proved 
true.  When  I  beheld  the  men  get  in  the  boats  and  shove  ofT 
and  the  beacon  lights  kindled  on  the  shore,  that  they  might  the 
more  safely  find  the  way  back,  my  eyes  were  on  the  stretch, 


ng,)  havo 

of  these 

ittle.   No 

cen  blest, 

3par'\tion9 
)ir  F^rong 
3on'jentra- 
Icscription 
tlioy  were 
ig  to  drive 
would  not 
»vn  all  the 
would  fall 

ink  that  1 
r.      After 
with  most 
:  much  but 
ISO  a  party 
vcr  to  burn 
I  told  him 
t  being  an 
'0  being  no 
mmit  such 
ghtsofpri- 
lation;  not- 
•itish  Gov- 
and  if  they 
le  thing  to 

would  not 
,  and  com- 

shoulder  a 
d  tyranical 
r  six  boats, 

cannot  be* 
■ain  assured 
ords  proved 
id  shove  off 
y  might  the 

he  stretch, 


1 


if. 


^■\*^ 


■■''If 


* ».   .   *^ 


!• 


^^'^^ 


■^  .^■\^..**»il» 


> 


I* 


%!. 


n^ 

7-4     . 

-  ^.    "■  ■' 

„:■ 

' ' 

c 

0   . 
-  o 

t' 

-W* 

^ 

.   .\  '            1 

•1 

j 

* 

I 

FATRIOT   EXIIiE. 


11 


towards  where  the  ill-fated  boat  iay.  O  how  1  wished  I  had  a 
speaking  trumpet,  big  enough  to  tell  the  few  unarmed  men 
that  lay  sleeping  quietly,  and  perhaps  dreaming  of  wives,  chil- 
dren or  sweet  hearts,  feeling  perfectly  safe,  when  thjir  boat  wafl' 
secured  at  an  American  wharf,  that  tiiere  were  pirates  close 
at  hand,  which  would,  and  did  convince  them  and  others  that 
there  is  not  at  all  times  safety^  and  protection  under  an 
American  flag.  The  boat  was  boarded  and  some  killed,  then 
cut  loose  towed  out  a  few  rods  and  set  on  fire.  Judge  my  feel- 
ings on  beholding  this  boat  on  fire,  perhaps  some  on  'loard, 
within  two  short  miles  of  the  Fulls  of  Niagara,  goin^:  '  the 
rate  of  twelve  miles  an  hoar,  and  if  the  men  on  board  were 
not  wounded,  it  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  reach  the  shore. 
I  cannot  describe  my  feelings!  You  may  ask  was  this  act 
sanctioned  by  the  British  Government  ?-  I  think  it  wf:S,  and 
by  a  great  many  people  nearer  homo. 

On  their  return  after  accomplishing  a  Lloody  deed,  which 
ought  to  be  an  everlasting  di  .grace  to  the  perpetrators,  and 
those  that  sanctioned  it — ^.to  hear  tiiem  boast  of  what  they  had 
done,  1  began  to  think  it  was  time  for  me  to  leave  the  place. 
There  were  others  that  would  have  been  glad  to  have  been 
on  the  American  side,  but  the  lines  were  so  closely  guarded 
that  it  was  almost  impossible,  at  that  time,  for  any  one  to  es- 
cape to  the  United  States;  notwithstanding  we  woro  closely 
watched,  I  was  determined  to  make  the  attempt.  I  was  the 
day  afterwards  witnessing  that  infamous  transaction,  in  con- 
nection with  a  Mr.  Thomas,  who  wished  very  much  he  was 
on  the  other  side;  consequently  we  agreed  to  make  the  attempt 
and  started  in  the  afternoon  of  the  J]Oth  of  December  1837, 
not  stopping,  even  to  bid  our  friends  good-by,  for  wo  expect- 
ed to  be  back  in  a  few  days,  or  at  least  I  did.  (Tlio  Caroline 
was  burned  the  night  previous.)  VVo  succoedeJ  in  reaching 
the  river  6  miles  above  Chippawa  about  11  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  after  a  tedious  and  dangerous  journey  through  an 
extensive  swamp.  There  is  a  small  settlement  in  a  part  of 
this  swamp  which  has  been  called  Sodom.  There  were  many 
Indians  prowling  about,  we  managed  to  evade  them,  however^ 
I  but  with  much  difficulty;  there  were  Sentinals  every  fow 
rods  along  the  line.  VVe  ventured  to  ppproach  a  house  near 
the  river  where  Thomas  said  he  was  partially  a.cquaint6d| 
there  was  only  the  lady  at  home,   her  husband,  although  a 


-m^ 


!'■     '^ll 


'»'■» 

*^.l 


m 


.J 


it 


KARIIATIVE  OP  A 


(1 


t  I 


:i^ 


t 


,1 


patriot,  was  obliged  to  be  on  duty  against  his  will.  We  told 
her  our  situation,  she  said  they  had  had  strict  orders  not  to 
launch  their  boat  on  any  consideration.  We  offered  her 
five  dollars  if  she  would  consent  to  let  us  take  it;  slie  said 
Bho  would  not  take  any  thing  for  the  use  of  the  boat,  as  she 
knew  our  situation,  and  felt  anxious  to  do  all  in  her  j)ower  to 
help  us  across  the  river;  she  also  told  us  that  her  husband  had 
taken  McKenzie  across  a  few  nights  previous.  "Leave  the 
boat  in  the  mouth  of  the  creek,"  said  she,  pointing  across  the 
river  towards  Grand  Island,  (which  was  understood  by  us) 
Hhere  is  a  man  there  thni  will  fetch  it  back,  you  havo  only 
to  fasten  it,  say  nothing  and  go  your  way."  We  were  con- 
vinced that  we  were  not  the  only  ones  assisted  by  this  patri- 
otic lady;  we  could  not  persuade  her  to  take  more  than  ono 
dollar.  The  boat  was  under  the  barn  we  soon  succeeded  in 
bringing  it  to  light;  but  difficulties  presented  ihemselvefi 
which  appeared  almost  impossible  to  surmount;  the  boat  was 
about  eighty  rods  from  the  river,  and  1  should  think  it  would 
have  taken  four  men  to  handle  it  at  any  other  time — and  on 
either  side  at  the  distance  of  about  eighty  rods  were  sentinnls 
placed  to  guard  the  river — and  at  short  intervals  moon-lighl. 
You  would  have  laughed  to  havo  seen,  and  heard  us  consult 
and  plan — all  hod  to  be  dono  in  a  whisper; — we  muffled  our 
oars  and  succeeded,  after  a  very  laborous  task,  in  launching 
our  bark,  and  wrre  not  long  reaching  Grand  Island,  the  dis- 
tance of  nearly  a  mile;  we  run  into  the  before  mentioned 
creek,  fastened  our  boat,  and,  as  we  supposed,  had  escaped 
the  eye  of  the  centry;  but  you  will  soon  perceive  we  had  not. 
It  was  about  1  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  we  had  to  go  eight 
or  nine  miles  through  the  woods  and  no  road — there  had  been 
a  light  fall  of  snow,  and  in  places  ice  that  would  bear  a  man, 
but  oftener  would  not;  once  or  twice  in  crossing  streams  the 
ice  gave  way  and  we  found  ourselves  nearly  to  the  middle  in 
water,  and  often  to  our  knees;  we,  at  near  day-light,  succeed- 
ed in  reaching  White  Haven,  a  small  village,  where  we  wer© 
hailed  by  one  of  our  Militia  Sentinels: — **  who  comes  there?" 
^'Friends,  friends."  "Advance  and  give  the  countersign."-— 
Of  course  we  advanced,  but  could  not  answer  the  demand; 
A  guard  was  immediately  dispatched  with  us  to  headquarters, 
where  we  underwent  a  strict  examination.  We  told  them  oC 
«ur  escape  from  Canada,  and  our  desire  to  go  to  Navy  Island, 


' 


i 


great 

ever 

blooc 

cause 

founc 

Schl( 

Ken  2 

Patrid 

Wl 

and  si 

to  JU( 

even 
adians 
the  Pi 
and  if 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


Id 


We  told 
lers  not  to 
Fered   her 
;   slie  said 
)at,  as  she 
r  power  to 
jsband  had 
'Leave  the 
across  tlie 
ood  by  us) 
have  only 
I  were  con- 
this  patri- 
e  than  ono 
icceeded  in 
lhemselve« 
je  boat  was 
[ik  it  would 
fie — and  on 
re  sentinals 
raoon-lighi. 
1  U3  consult 
muffled  our 
\  launching 
md,  ihe  dis- 
menlioned 
lad  escaped 
we  had  not. 
to  go  eiglU 
re  had  been 
3ear  a  man, 
streams  the 
le  middle  in 
It,  succeed- 
3rewe  wer© 
mes  there?" 
itersign." — 
he  demand; 
)ad  quarters, 
told  them  oC 
^avy  Island, 


we  found  some  gentlemen  there  of  our  acquaintance,  wil- 
ling to  vouch  for  the  truth  of  our  assertions.  Here  we  found 
officers  and  all,  ready  and  willing  to  do  all  in  their  power  to 
help  us  on  our  way;  our  fare  was  the  best  their  Camp  afibrd* 
cd;  we  had  not,  however,  been  in  custody  over  twenty  min- 
utes when  there  was  an  alarm  and  report  of  some  five  or  six 
muskets — there  was  a  general  turnout,  and  we  soon  learned 
the  cause.  The  countersign  was  demanded  of  some  five  ot 
eix  who  had  been  dispatched  for  some  persons  who  they  sup- 
posed had  no  right  to  leave  the  Province  without  permission. 
It  appears  we  had  been  discovered,  and  pursued;  these  blood- 
hounds had  ibllowed  us  and  was  near  overtaking  us  when  we 
luckily  fell  into  the  hands  of  gentlemen;  they  as  well  as  we 
wore  disappointed  in  finding  a  company  of  our  Militia  on 
Grand  Island,  no  doubt  their  disappointment  was  greater 
when  ♦.hey  found  we  were  protected  and  they  obliged  to  make 
tracks  with  all  possible  speed.  After  congratulating  us  on 
our  deliverance,  they  sent  us  a'cross  the  river,  landed  at  Ton- 
awanda,  there  we  took  the  cars  for  Schlosser  we  walked  down 
to  the  dock,  there  we  beheld  the  blood  of  Durfeo  that  had 
been  spilt  by  the  cowardly  crow  from  the  Canada  side  the 
29th  Dec.  1R37;  we  was  there  on  the  1st  of  Jan.  18:^8,  there 
appeared  to  be  a  large  quantity  of  blood  on  the  planks  to 
have  coine  f»om  one  man;  1  think  there  might  have  been 
others  killed  and  thrown  into  the  ri.er,  which  would  soon 
disappear  over  the  Falls.  1  was  confident  there  would  be  a 
great  turn  out  to  avenge  the  death  of  our  countryman.  How- 
ever strange  it  may  appear  to  others,  the  perpetration  of  this 
bloody  deed  was  one  of  many;  and  I  may  say,  the  principal 
cause  of  my  going  to  Navy  Island.  Mr.  Thomas  and  myself 
found  ourselves,  in  less  than  two  hours  from  our  arrival  at 
Schlosser,  at  head  qurters  and  in  the  presence  of  VV.  L.  Mo 
Kenzie,  and  Gen.  Van  Rensalear  Commander  in  Chief  of  the 
Patriot  Army. 

Whatever  was  the  previous  character  of  these  gentlemen, 
and  since  the  evacuation  of  the  Island,  I  must  leave  the  world 
to  judge,  for  I  do  not  know;  but  this  much  I  do  know,  that 
even  the  name  of  Van  Ranseller,  struck  a  terror  to  the  Can- 
adians. It  was  often  remarked  in  Canada  before  I  left,  that 
the  Patriots  had  got  a  brave  and  able  General  at  their  head, 
and  if  ever  they  succeeded  in  getting  into  Canada,  they  mi^ht 


.1 


^1 


1-    M 

!        »     ■ 


••  '■  m 


*■  II 


14 


NARRATIVE  OB'  A 


expect  bloody  work;  they  were  both  universally  feared  and 
I  believe  if  they  could  have  entered  Canada  with  2000  men,  at 
that  time,  with  Van  Rensalear  at  their  head  and  proved  him- 
self what  ho  was  generally  supposed  to  be,  tliere  is  no  doubl 
he  might  have  done  honor  to  the  name,  and  to  the  cause  in 
which  he  was  engaged.  1  shall  not  say  that  British  gold  was 
one  cause  of  the  failure  there,  although  ii  has  been,  so  sus- 
pected  by  many  besides  myself.  I  am  aware  that  ho 
was  advised  by  some  to  leave.  Gold  has  done  a  great  deal 
for  England  however  falsely  procured.  The  General  and 
McKenzie,  on  learning  that  we  were  direct  from  Chippawa, 
asked  us  a  great  many  questions.  Among  the  first,  were,  if 
we  intended  to  join  the  army.  Thomas  said  he  must  first  go 
and  see  his  wife  and  children  that  had  left  Canada  a  abort 
time  before  him,  and  if  they  were  in  comfortable  quarters 
he  might  return.  1  believe  he  expected  to  find  them  in  Lock- 
port;  I  think  he  left  that  day.  \  then  told  tljcm  if  there  was 
a  prospect  of  having  a  sufficient  number  to  cros.s,  and  if  it  was 
their  determination  to  prosecute  the  war  until  Canada  was 
free  I  should  have  no  objection  to  join  the  party.  The 
General  produced  the  list  and  asked  me  the  length  of  time  I 
wished  to  enlist.  I  was  so  confident  of  success,  that  I  unhes- 
itatingly replied: — "Seven  years,  or  during  the  war."  The 
General  remarked,  "1  wish  1  had  two  thousand  such  men,  we 
have  about  one  thousand  already,  and  I  think  this  Caroline 
affair  will  soon  swell  our  force  to  two  thousand,  and  then  I 
shall  make  an  attack  at  some  point  where  they  least  ex- 
pect." He  made  particular  inquiries  as  to  tlieir  strength  at 
Chippawa,'situation  of  the  country,  creeks,  bridges,  road*^  &;c. 
My  being  well  acquainted  with  them  ail,  I  quickly  satisfied 
him  on  that  point,  as  well  as  of  their  contemplated  attnck  up- 
on the  Island.  Gen  Van  Rensalear  said  "lei.  them  come  if 
they  dare;  we  will  soon  send  them  over  the  Falls. 

His  plan  for  entering   Canada  I  considered   good,    ond  if 
successful  we  would  soon  be  in  Chippawa;  and  says  he,  as 

rou  are  well  acquainted  there  I  want  you  to  be  by  my  side." 
readily  consented,  for  there  were  those'  there  thai  would 
look  to  us  for  protection;  I  had  many  friends,  as  well  as  Faih» 
er,  Mother,  Brothers  and  Sisters,  in  Chippawa;  but  it  Wftg 
only  those  in  arms  that  need  look  for  any  molestation.  "I 
knew  many  of  them  woi*ld  join  us  as  soon  as  jMJSsiblo."    "U» 


.rod  and 
men,  at 
ed  hliti- 
lo  doubt 
3anso  in 
5old  was 
,  so  sus» 
that  ho 
rent  deal 
lernl  and 
lippawa, 

were,  if 
5t  first  go 
L  a  short 
quarters 
in  Lock- 
here  was 
1  if  it  was 
I  ad  a  was 
y.  The 
of  lime  I 
tl  unhes* 
r."  The 
1  men,  we 

Caroline 
.nd  then  1 

lenst  CX' 

renglh  at 
road'=*  &c. 

satisfied 
attick  up* 
T)  come  if 

od,  ond  if 
ays  he,  as 
my  side." 
hat  would 
ill  asFaih» 
but  it  wn» 
ation.  "i 
3le."    "Ua 


PATRIOT   KXILC. 


not  us  the  inhabitants  need  fear,"  says  the  General,  **for  its 
to  protect  and  defend  them  from  the  power  of  tyrants  that 
have  so  long  preyed  upon  the  credulity  of  the  good  people  of 
Canada,  as  well  as  wherever  they  hold  sway.  Our  men 
will  be  strictly  forbidden  to  medle  with  private  property,  or  in 
any  manner,  with  peaceable  inhabitants."  1  said  I  was  glad, 
and  hoped  such  rules  would  be  strictly  adhered  to;  for  the 
tories  in  Canada  were  trying  all  in  their  power  to  make 
the  inhabitants,  as  well  as  the  soldiers,  believe  that  the  reb- 
els were  all  a  set  of  robbers.  I  am  not  alone,  thousands  on 
that  side,  as  well  as  this,  can  testify  that  that  appellation  can 
more  properly  be  applied  to  them;  "Matty's"  assertion  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding.  There  are  far  too  mnny  tories  in 
the  United  States  ever  ready  to  side  with  them  in  oppres- 
sing those  that  daro  say  aught  against  their  tyranicai  and 
bloody  acts.  '■  ? 

I  shall  not  be  very  particular  in  describing  all  that  took 
place  while  on  the  Island,  as  it  would  not,  to  many,  be  very 
interesting.  I  will  only  remark  that  after  my  informing  the 
General  of  their  preparations  and  intention  of  attacting  the 
Island,  breast-works  were  hastily  thrown  up,  and  all  necessa* 
ry  arrangements  made  to  give  them  a  wnrm  reception. — 
There  were  twenty-five  cannon  mostly  well  mounted,  which 
could  easily  be  concentrated  at  any  point  required;  and 
manned  by  men  that  knew  how  to  handle  them;  and  1 
should  judge  from  eight  to  ten  hundred  men  well  armed  and 
drilled.  Besides  other  hasty  preparations,  tops  of  trees  and 
under  brush  were  thrown  over  the  bank  at  differ.^nt  places 
to  prevent  them  from  landing.  1  know  there  were  various 
opinions  respecting  the  strength  of  the  Island;  but  fi-om  cloee 
^observation,  during  the  three  days  of  my  enlistment,  it  is  tty 
candid  opinion  that  if  they  had  attacked  the  Island,  as  was 
expected,  they  would  mostly  or  all  have  found  a  watery  grave, 
The  tories  were  fearful  of  this,  for  when  the  attempt  was 
made  men  could  not  be  found  to  hazard  their  lives  in  so  rash 
an  attempt;  though  attempted  often,  it  as  often  failed. — 
No  doubt  if  they  had  thought  it  as  easy  as  burning  the  Caro- 
line  they  would  have  quickly  undertaken  it. 

It  was  hoped,  and  much  regretted,  by  all  on  the  Island 
that  the  attempt  was  not  made;  for  if  they  had  done  so  it 
would  have  thinned  their  ranks  and  made  it  the  more  easy 


» 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


'h 


:>'   ' 


•ii 


'  I ; 


-ik 


for  us  to  have  entered  Canada  at  that  place.  They  finally 
concluded  to  bring  all  their  artillery  to  bear  upon  us,  and 
thus  exterminate  all  within  their  reach;  they  were  according- 
ly arranged  in  martial  pomp,  opposite  the  Island  the  distance 
jf  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  Now  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion commences — the  balls  and  bombs  fly  in  all  directions — 
the  tops  of  the  trees  appear  to  be  a  great  eye-sore  to  them, 
I  suppose  they  thought  by  commencing  an  attack  upon  them, 
their  falling  would  aid  materially  in  the  destruction  of 
lives  below.  The  thundering  of  artillery  was  heard,  by 
times,  for  twenty  and  thirty  miles  around  for  a  week,  being 
obliged  to  cease  fireing  at  times  for  the  cannons  to  cool.— 
They  were  very  lavish  with  Her  Gracious  Majesty's  powder 
and  balls.  I  recollect  a  man  standing  behind  the  breast- 
work where  were  four  of  us  sitting  as  the  balls  were  whistle- 
ing  through  the  trees,  "Well,"  says  he,  "if  this  is  the  way  to 
kill  the  timber  on  this  Island,  it  is  certainly  a  very  expensive 
way,  as  well  as  somewhat  comical;  I  should  think  it  would  be 
cheaper  to  come  over  with  axes,  and  if  they  are  not  in  too 
big  a  hurry,  girdle  the  trees  and  they  will  die  the  sooner." — 
I  remarked,  "they  did  not  know  how  to  use  an  axe;  but 
understood  girdleing  in  a  different  way."  An  old  gentleman 
from  Canada  taking  the  hint,  quickly  responded,  "Yes,  Can- 
ada can  testify  to  the  fact  of  their  having  other  ways  of  gir- 
dleing besides  with  the  axe,  and  unless  there  is  a  speady  stop 
put  to  it,  there  will  not  be  a  green  tree  left."  'inhere  was 
another  gentleman  about  to  say  something  of  their  manner 
of  swindleing  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  he  had  just  com- 
menced about  Ireland  when  I  felt  a  sudden  jar  at  my  back, 
and  the  other  three  that  set  near  me,  felt  thft  same;  we  rose 
up,  and  discovered  that  a  cannon  ball  had  found  its  way 
through  our  breast  work,  but  was  kind  enough  to  stop  after 
just  stiring  the  dirt  at  our  backs;  I  had  only  moved  about  an 
inch  of  dirt  when  I  picked  up  a  six  pound  ball. 

As  it  happened,  our  gun  was  a  six  pounder,  we  concluded 
as  that  was  the  only  ball  that  had,  as  yet,  been  willing  to  pay 
us  a  visit,  we  would  send  it  back  as  quick  as  it  come.  We 
immediately  put  it  into  our  gun  and  whealed  around  the  cor- 
ner of  the  breastwork.  *'Hold,"  said  I,  "there  is  'Queen 
Ann's  Pocket  Piece,'  as  it  is  called,  it  will  soon  be  opposite, 
and  then  we'll  show  them  what  we  can  do."    It  was  not 


^ 


were  i 
must  b( 
own  ba 
ecutioi] 
begin  t 
the  fir; 
know  \ 
The] 
menccL 
ly  wou 
their 
our  bat 
et  piece 
no  meri 
tery; 
suppliei 
deal  of 
one,  an 
after  be 
ing  jau( 
disappo 
uatod. 


PATRIOT   EXILG. 


» 


y  finally 

us,  and 
ccording-      ' 
3  distance 
if  destruc- 
eclions — 
to  them, 
pon  them, 
uction   of 
heard,  by 
?ek,  being 
to  cool.— 
r's  powder 
le  breast- 
re  whistle- 
he  way  to 
expensive 
it  would  be 

not  in  too 
sooner." — 

axe;  but 
gentleman 
'Yes,  Can- 
ays  of  gir- 
peody  stop 
I'here  was 
ir  manner 

just  com- 
t  my  back, 
e;  we  rose 
id  its  way 
3  stop  afler 
d  about  an 

concluded 
ling  to  pay 
lonie.  We 
nd  the  cor- 
is  'Queen 
)e  opposite, 
It  was  not 


.«! 


mounted,  but  swung  under  the  ex  of  a  cart,  such  as  are  used 
for  drawing  saw-logs,  with  very  largo  wlieels.  I  had  seen  it 
previous  lo  my  leaving  Chippawa,  I  think  there  was  six 
horses  attached  to  the  cart;  for  it  was  very  heavy,  it  being 
a  twenty-four  pounder.  I  suppose  it  was  their  intention 
to  split  tlie  Island  in  two  with  it,  hoping,  by  so  doing,  it 
might  loosen  at  the  roots  and  move  oil*  with  the  current  and 
go  over  the  Falh,  and  tlius  accomplish  their  great  work  of 
destruciion  at  once.  As  they  were  opposite,  the  words  "ready, 
fire!"  was  given;  wo  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  horses 
leavG  the  battle  ground  with  all  possible  speed.  Tiie  gun 
was  forsaken  in  no  lime,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  there 
was  scarcely  a  man  to  bo  seen.  The  ball  had  gone  about 
threo  feet  fartiier  to  the  left  than  was  intended;  it  was  intend- 
ed to  lop  the  wheels;  but  it  severed  the  tongue  from  the  ex, 
and  the  horses  took  tiio  liberty  lo  move  off  as  fast  as  possible. 

We  were  about  to  give  ibcin  another  shot,  when  the  officer 
of  the  day  came  up,  and  told  us  the  orders  from  lie'id  quarters 
were  not  to  fire  unless  it  was  absolutely  necessary,  that  we 
must  be  saving  of  our  amuiiilion.  I  told  him  it  was  their 
own  ball  that  wo  had  just  sent  back,  When  ho  saw  the  ex- 
ecution it  had  done  ho  smiled  and  went  on,  remarking,  "they 
begin  to  fire  a  little  lower;"  "yes,"  said  I,  "and  as  llmt  was 
the  first,  we  thought  wo  would  send  it  back,  and  let  them 
know  we  did  not  want  it,  that  we  had  balls  of  our  own. 

There  was  no  more  fireing  until  evening,  when  they  com- 
menced again  in  good  earnest.  Threo  of  eur  men  was  slight- 
ly wounded  by  the  frozen  dirt  flying  in  their  faces,  by  one  of 
their  balls  hitting  the  end  of  our  breast- work.  They  owed 
our  battery  a  grudge  for  darcing  to  fire  at  her  Majesty's  pock- 
et piece  as  it  was  called.  They  seemed  willing  to  show  us 
no  mercy;  however,  no  further  damage  was  done  to  our  bat- 
tery; the  next  cannon  to  us  had  one  wheel  shot  away,  but  was 
supplied  with  a  new  one  the  next  day.  There  was  a  great 
deal  of  fireing  at  intervals  for  nine  days  and  nights.  Killed 
one,  and  slightly  vyounding  three,  all  told.  Suffice  it  to  say, 
after  being  in  possession  of  the  Island  some  four  weeks,  caus- 
ing jnuch  noise  and  confusion  on  both  sides,  and  many  greatly 
disappointed  it  w^s  finally,  on  the  12th  of  January  1838,  evac- 
uated.      There  might  be  much  sfiid  on  the  isubject  of  occu- 


:  ^'.i! ' 


imm 


U 


NAlinATlVE  OF  A 


■» 


^lf 


• 


f   ■• 


>       ■   V 


■ } 


pyiug  tho  Island,  and  duniig  the  time  wo  were  there,  but  I 
have  not  rofnu. 

When  we  left  I  proceeded  to  Detroit,  not  wishing  to  return 
to  Chi[)i»awfi,  after  having  been  known  to  have  espoused 
the  patriot  cnuso.  1  must  ncknowledge  it  was  a  cause  in 
whicii  my  whole  honrtwns  ongnged,  nnd  have  many  reasons 
for  it,  one  of  whi(;h  is,  I  wn.s  I  orn  of  Patriot  parentage;  I 
am  not  a  jjatriot  to-day,  nnd  to-morrow  the  reverse;  like  mnny 
not  far  off,  who  1  liave  seen  since  rny  r-'turn.  "Oii!"  said 
they.  "I  knew  the  priti-iots  would  fail."  "Ye.^,"  said  I,  "if 
1  had  known  there  had  boAu  so  mnny  of  your  .stnnip  en- 
gaged in  the  cause,  I  loo  might  have  known  it  Mould  have 
failed,  men  that  promised  much  but  done  so  little,  if  1  had 
backed  out  at  the  prospect  of  the  smell  of  powder,  I  too  like 
you  and  many  more  might  have  been  left  to  say  I  knew  they 
would  not  succeed."  ■ 

On  my  arrival  at  ^-^andusky,  nflor  a  tedious  Wnlk  of  five 
days  I  wns  informed  of  a  eontem|)l'*ted  allack  on  Mnlden. — 
We  succeeded  in  rcnchinf):  a  small  Fslnnd  about  3  miles  from 
the  main  sliore,  called  Point  Aupele;  our  forco  was  about  one 
hundred,  it  wns  intended  to  iiave  rem.'diicd  ihero  a  short  time 
for  reinforcements,  but  wo  were  soon  attacked  by  about  three 
hundred  from  Blalden  in  sleiglis,  (tlie  lake  being  frozen,)  the 
number  thr-j  returned  alive  was  not  known.  After  a  severe 
engag-ement  of  about  half  an  hour  on  the  ice,  tho  fireing  ceas- 
ed ;  each  party  glad  to  retire.  vSuch  havock  among  Red- 
Coats  by  a  hnndfull  of  patriots  was  scarcely  ever  known. — 
Being  r'isappointcd  as  to  reinforcements,  after  fully  convince- 
ing  the  red-coats  that  the  patriots  could  figlit,  we  made  our 
way  to  the  main  land  (or  rather  peninsula)  near  Sandusky. 
•^^'There  was,  about  tliis  lime,  another  party  of  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  assembled  on  an  island  about  three  miles 
below  Detroit,  called  Fighting  Island,  near  wliere  Hull  sur- 
rendered his  army.  The  men  were  marched  on  in  the 
evening  and  told  by  a  man  who  had  charge  of  tho  arms  that 
they  would  ho  sent  over  in  sleighs  directly.  Some  may  won- 
der why  they  did  not  take  their  arms  with  them;  the  reason 
was  this:  a  body  of  men  under  arms  had  no  right  to  congre- 
jgate  and  drill  without  giving  a  strict  account  of  their  inten- 
tions, to  the  Government  under  which  they  assemble,  if  re« 
quired  to  do  so. 


" 


?.1     VV/- 


•'.tn 


PATllIOT    EXILE. 


19 


-. 


By  some  means  llio  arms  were  j)revonte(l  iVorn  following 
them.  Tiicy  were  attacked  by  a  Hinall  force  of  liragoons,  and 
two  pieces  of  artillery,  and  obliged  to  light  their  way  with 
clubs  and  fists.  1  believe  if  there  had  been  fifty  Rims  in  their, 
possession  they  would  have  nKiinlnincd  their  position;  for  as 
it  was,  the  enemy  scemod  very  willing  tocea«o  hostilities; — 
thus  ended  the  stniggle  tor  that  winter,  Dribnry  was  .strong- 
ly suspected  hero  as  well  as  other  })laccs,  for  if  iho  J'ritish 
had  not  known  the  situation  of  tlio  ni?n  on  tlie  Island 
they  would  not  have  Hnrcd  to  have  attacked  them  with  so 
small  a  force;  for  they  had  been  led  to  believe  that  it  required 
about  six  times  as  many  of  them,  as  of  the  IVitriols,  to  con- 
tend with  us  with  anv  doffi-oc  of  certainty. 

it  appeared  to  bo  an  unlucky  [daco  for  u--,  as  well  as  the 
traitor  jlidl's  army,  who  were  doomed  many  of  tliem  todrag 
out  a  life  of  worse  than  flavery  in  iJrilish 'prisons  and  old 
hulks.  Oh!  what  jwv/cr  has  gold!  I  know  a  little  soniething 
of  the  treotm-^nt  of  their  prisoners.  Thoy  have  an  idea  that 
any  man  that  dares  to  take  up  arms  against  Her  Gracious 
Majesty  V  Government  must  be  the  worst  man  in  the  world, 
and  vviirn  a  prisoner,  is  treated  as  such.  1  have  often 
thought  that  lucky  was  the  mnn  who  was  instantly  shot  or 
beheaded,  as  ihous.mds  have  been  under  their  humane  govv 
ernment.  > 

Being  5-ick  of  Islnnd  tighting,  I  remained  in  Detroit  throug!» 
the  summer,  during  which  time,  great  i)rej)arations  were  be- 
ing mndo  all  over  the  country  for  renewing  the  war.  As 
many  of  our  citizens  were  confined,  and  executions  taking 
place  in  diiforen!.  parts  of  Canada,  in  the  upper  as  well  as  the 
lower  Province,  a? id  tnunts  and  threats  by  tories  were  daily 
occurrences,  it  was  concluded  best  by  many  from  Canada 
as  well  as  thousands  on  this  side  to  make  one  more  trial. — 
Consequently  public  as  well  as  private  meetings  were  held. 
Many  and  powerful  speeches  were  delivered  by  men  of  re- 
spectability, and  strong  were  the  prospects  of  success.  Not 
only  hundreds  but  thousands  were  enrolled  to  aid  and  assist; 
many  had  tlreir  names  down  as  fighting  men^  and;  to  hold 
themselves  in  readiness  at  e!i' moments  warning.  Among  oth- 
ers were  men  of  property  offering  to  assist  m  every  possible 
manner.  Among  them  were  men  holding  offices  under  gov- 
et*nment*      I  will  not  mention  names,  for  L  am  aware  they 


»•.     I 


f 


><i\ 


I 


>f .  A 


M 


<l 


20 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


I  : 


1 


'1: 


feel  asfinmed;  not  of*  the  cnuse  in  whicli  thoy  were  engaged, 
but  of  their  backwardiiews  in  not  boldly  stepping  fortii  in  aid 
of  so  groat  nnd  good  a  cause.  I  mention  these  things  because 
some  young  as  well  as  old  may  hfrcriftPr  en(|uire  the  cause 
of  the  failure  of  the  Patriots  in  the  soars  1H;J7-8  to  let  all 
know  it  was  not  so  much  the  fault  of  those  who  actually  took 
up  arms  and  done  as  thoy  had  agrond,  as  it  was  of  those  who 
failed  to  fulfill  their  |)ron)isos,  nnd  who  have  not  boon  back- 
ward in  ridiculing  the  cause  nnd  those  that  were  unfortunate- 
ly made  prisoners. 

The  fact  is  that  about  tlio  time  of  iho  intended  movement 
"Matty"  is.^ucd  a  decree  to  this  elloct:  that  all  engag-cd  in 
the  Patriot  cause  wero  blacklegs,  horso  thieves,  vVc.  <kc. — 
Many  men  heretofore  ol  tho  highest  ro-pcctalyility  who  had 
previously,  (in  view  of  the  respectability  of  tho  cause,)  aided 
and  assisted,  now  withdrew  and  acknow!cdfi|ed  on  tiioir  j)art 
the  justness  of  tho  assertion,  while  others  who  wero  not  wil- 
ling to  acknowledge  themselves  as  such  by  doserting  their 
■  colors,  were  still  moreq^nxious  to  make  one  desperate  effort, 
and  if  possi!)le  make  a  st.'ini  on  the  opposite  side  near  De- 
troit, likewise  near  Kingston,  not  far  from  Prescott;  and  if 
possible  convince  tho  world  that  tho  before  mentioned  stig- 
ma  was  not  applicable  to  us,  and  if  it  was  1  believe  it  remains 
to  be  proved.  Be  it  remembered  however,  tiiat  the  number 
of  cowards  who  called  themselves  patriots  wus  not  known 
until   about  three  or   four  hours  before  a  battle  was  to  take 


place.   - 

i^,fWn;  -v>.f -ijmi -^      CHAPTER  II. 


I 


■'1  J] ' .k\*Td3rtu'h'^) 


^&\'^p'fiov(^rrifmSaltle  of  Windsor.  '  -'''^'^^^i^^t-taiiM 

'  December  4th,  1838,  after  much  trouble  and  hardship, 
(for  we  had  not  only  U.  S.  government  officers  to  evade,  but 
spies  in  all  quarters,  many  who  'pretended  to  be  good  patri- 
ots  were  trying  every  way  possible  to  cast  a  stigma  upon  the 
eause,)  a  boat  was  obtained  and  164  men  landed  on  the  Can- 
ada shore  three  miles  above  Windsor^  General  B.  command* 


,; 


G 

good 

abou 

as  m 

force 

ment 

priva 

itant? 

byth 

woul( 

howe 

withi] 

out  w 

returi 

eral  r 

fier  as 

the  P( 

as  Go 

VVc 

to  guo 

he  wa 

ley  of 

Capt  J 

fine  m 

him  o^ 

ball  hf 

We  w 

an  an 

a  seve 

were  p 

cove re 

cautior 

a  luck; 

balls  tc 

ther  sic 

ders  wi 

and  fin 


PATRIOT   KXII.E. 


Ill 


engaged, 
th  in  aid 
)  because 
ho  cause 
to  let  all 
I  filly  took 
hose  who 
3cn  back- 
lb  rtunaie- 

novement 
ic;ris;cd  in 
:c.  vfec. — 
'  who  Imd 
ISC,)  aided 
their  part 
'0  not  wil- 
ing   Ibeir 
nto  effort, 
J  near  De- 
tt;  and    if 
ioned  stig- 
it  remains 
le  number 
lot  known 
ras  to  take 

i    v:, ..... 

'i    ^    t'     -  r 


V  a>fK 


V^J 


1  hardship, 
evade,  but 
ood  patri- 
a  upon  th© 
the  Can- 
command* 


ing,  who  was  generally  believed  to  be  a  good  and  brave  man. 
No  doubt  his  talents  were  good,  hut  nl'ier  being  tried  was 
found  w.tntingin  courage.  I  believe  there  are  times  when  it 
is  hard  to  distinguish  between  cowardice  and  bril)ery. 

General  l*utnam  was  second  in  command  and  a  brave  and 
good  l*at riot.  It  was  s!i|)|)o.sod  that  others  to  the  number  of 
about  500  would  immodiatoly  follow,  besides  the  promise  of 
as  many  more  on  the  (Canada  fiido,  which  would  increase  our 
force  to  over  1000  etfectivr!  men,  but  groat  was  our  disappoint- 
ment. After  having  received  positive  orders  not  to  meddle  with 
private  property,  or  in  any  manner  molest  pf-acealde  inhab- 
itants, we  took  up  our  lineof  mnrcli  for  Windsor;  expecting 
by  the  time  wo  had  taken  tlioir  barrarlvs,  our  re-inf(^rcemenls 
would  arrive;  but  were  ng.iin  di.sappointed.  We  were  not, 
however,  disappointed  in  taking  the  barracks,  we  npproached 
within  ten  or  twelve  rods,  when  the  centry  hailed,  and  with- 
out waiting  an  answer,  fired;  but  without  elfoct.  His  fire  was 
returned  instantly  and  lie  fell  on  the  spot.  There  was  a  gen-' 
eral  rush  to  the  doors,  and  they  were  commanded  to  surren- 
der  as  prisoners  of  vvnr,  by  Cconeral  Putnnm  Commander  of 
the  Patriot  armv.  1  mijrlit  havn  said'  Commander  in  Chief, 
as  General  B.  had  not  made  his  npjjoarance. 

Wo  had  l)y  this  timo'nenrly  all  come  up  excepting  a  few 
to  guard  tlie  General  from  harm,   I  do  not  mean  Putnam  for 
\\o  was  on  hand;  in  answer  to  his  deniand  wo  received  a  vol- 
ley of  fire  arms  from  the  windows  and  doors,    at  which  time 
Capt  Lewis  fell,  ho  was  the  second  min    from  me,  he  was  a 
fine  man;  he  being  the  first  to  fall,   I  stepped  up  and    rolled 
him  over  to  see   whether  he  was  dead  or  onlv   wounded,  the 
ball  had  hit  him  in  the   head  which    killed  him    instantly. — 
We  were  not  willing  to  receive  such  a  compliment  without 
an  answer;  we  accordingly  approached   the   building   and 
a  severe  action  commenced — our  guns,  as  many  as  possible, 
were  protruded  with  theirs  through  tho  windows.       We  dis- 
covered after  four  or  five  rounds  that  they  had  taken  the  pre- 
caution  to  lay  down  in  order  to  escape  our  balls,  and  it  was 
a  lucky   move   for  us,    for  it  had  a  tendancy  to  cause  their 
balls  to  pass  over  our  heads;  so  the  first  few  volleys  on  ei^ 
therside  did  but  little  harm;  on  discovering  their  position  or- 
ders were  given  to  withdraw  from  the  windows  a  few  paced 
and  fire  lower,  four  rounds  satisfied  them,  some  thirty  or  for^ 
2* 


■'i 

?•.? 

.  ! 
•  '\ 
111- 

•'fc 

'•u  II" 

■1 

'^^;i 

4,  ^\m 

■f' 

\  ^^M 

M 

wL 

L 


», 


33 


NARRAT1V£  OF  A 


■»  ' ' 


I' 

n 


I ' '. 


ty  rushed  to  Uie  doors  once  or  twice,  finally  finding  their  sit- 
uation very  precarious  thoy  ceased  fireing.  Another  oiTer 
was  then  made  thorn  to  surrender  as  pri'joners  of  war,  but 
they  did  not  seem  willing  to  comply.  The  droing  again  com- 
menced, when  a  man  was  seen  ri|)|)roaci)ing  the  building  with 
a  fire-brand  but  in  the  confusion  ol' firearms,  did  not  as  he  af- 
terwards said,  hear  the  orders  not  to  fire  the  building,  and  it 
was  set  on  fire;  there  was  a  general  rush  mado  to  break 
through  our  ranks;  but  they  sooni  found  we  knew  as  well 
how  to  take  |)risoncrs,  as  to  liiV  a  mark  with  the  rifle.  In  ta- 
king prisoners  and  securing  arms,  we  had  no  timo  to  extin- 
guish the  fiames  that  had  so  fur  advanced;  this  was  the  only 
act  which  was  not  generally  aj)proved  oi'.  There  was  a 
steam  boat  burned  to  the  memory  of  tl»o  Caroline,  and  thirty- 
eight  prisoners  with  tiie  same  number  of  arms  fell  into  our 
hands,  after  a  warm  engagement  which  lasted  three-fourths 
of  an  hour;  we,  however  had  no  jiien  to  spare  to  guard  pris- 
oners, and  after  keeping  them  a  sliort  lime,  treating  them 
well,  made  them  promise  not  to  bo  fuund  in  arms  against  us 
hereafter,  told  them  we  expected  largo  re-inforceinents,  and 
would  be  able  to  maintain  our  position; — and  would  also 
defend,  not  only  them,  but  us  many  as  would  throw  them- 
selves under  cur  potcclion.  Some  of  them  remarked  that 
five  hundred  such  men  would  not  only  bo  able  to  defend  all 
who  might  need  protection,  but  would  bo  able  to  defend  them- 
selves against  one  thousand  13ritish  Troops.  During  the  morn- 
ing we  had  convinced  ihem  of  that  fact,  and  secured  about  fifty 
muskets  with  as  many  catridge  boxes,  and  were  much  elated 
oa  our  success.  It  was  about  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  when 
the  action  commenced;  wo  were  three  hours  anxiously  wait- 
ing for  promised  help  from  the  other  side  of  the  river,  which 
was  nearly  one  mile  across  to  Detroit,  where  were  thousands 
to  be  seen  at  day-light,  on  tops  of  building  swinging  their 
hats  and  cheering  us  on  our  morning's  success.  Among  these 
were  hundreds  that  had  promised  to  be  with  us,  and  who 
knew  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  maintain  our  position 
through  the  day  unless  we  had  the  promised  help.  If  we 
Jhad  have  known  that  help  could  not  come,  in  time,  we 
might  have  re-crossed  to  the  American  shore  that  morning; 
but  were  determined^  after  having  so  much  trouble  in  getUiig 
there )  to  remain,  and  if  holp  did  not  come,  to  show  them  our 


intei 
muo 

fail.' 

men, 

and  , 

VV 

spier 
VVel 

act  o 

Red-( 

form  I 

tnncc 

liowo 

fifty  ] 

clmrd 

and  w 

lljoy  ( 

cd  to 

ing  til 

round 

of  a  n 

ed  in 

our  lii 

ter. 

our  di 

numbe 

aftersv 

to  ret 

"For  ( 

mence 

will  al 

vancc. 

guish 

ibr  bin 

what  r 

the  pe 

reachii 

before} 

I  afters 

were  fi 

time  CO 


PATRIOT   SXILX. 


23 


iutentioQ  was  to  act,  and  not  do  as  Imndredi  hod  who  promised 
muoh,  but  done  nothing.  ('*They  knew  the  Patriots  would 
fail'")  unluckily  for  the  cause  tliere  were  too  many  such 
men,  men  that  could  talk  loud,  and  wished  to  be  called  bravo 
and  good,  but  at  the  expense  of  others. 

We  were  about  planting  our  standard;  the  Hag  was  a 
splendid  one,  with  iw(»  stars  for  Upper  and  Lower  Cnnada. 
vVe  hod  just  succ6#dt^l  in  golting  a  long  spar  and  was  in  the 
act  of  raising  t,  as  tlio  cry  was  heard: — "llierc  conies  the 
Red-coals  !  Tliero  are  tho  di'flg')oiiH ! !"  InsUuilly  we  wero 
formed  in  battle  arrn_^».  Soon  received  a  volley,  but  the  dis- 
tance was  so  great  that  it  did  not  allbct  us  in  the  least,  wo 
however  advanced  to  meet  them,  and  drove  them  back  about 
fifty  rods;  in  the  mean  time  IhoiigliL  it  best  to  occupy  an  or- 
chard; They  wero,  1  sliould  judgn,  about  four  hundred  strong, 
and  were  soon  reinforced  by  some  two  hundred  more.  When 
ihey  discovered  our  strength,  the  i»lan  was  immediately  form- 
ed to  surround  us.  A  general  fight  now  look  place;  but  see- 
ing their  dctorminatiou  to  surround  us,  after  iievcn  or  eight 
rounds  we  thought  it  best  to  occupy  tho  wood<,  three-fouilhs 
of  a  mile  from  our  stand.  We  had  likewise  been  disappoint- 
ed in  the  approach  of  our  rear-guard,  for  mo  had  taken  up 
our  line  of  march  in  two  divisions,  Gen.  B.  was  with  the  lat- 
ter. To  our  great  disappointment  at  tliat  critical  moment 
our  division  was  left  to  contend  with  at  least  five. times  our 
number;  it  was  not,  however,  the  tault  of  tiic  men,  for  I  was 
afterwards  informed,  when  thev  discovered  iiis  determination 
to  retreat,  he  was  addressed  my  men  in  tears  ns  follows: — 
"For  God  sake  do  not  leave  our  i)urty  who  have  already  com- 
menced the  action,  for  unless  we  advance  to  their  aid  they 
will  all  bo  cut  off!"  But  he  could  not  bo  persuaded  to  ad- 
vance. As  I  before  remarked  it  is  sometimes  hard  to  distin- 
guish between  cowardice  and  bribery,  the  reader  may  judge 
for  himself  in  this  instance.  As  he  is  a  lawyer  and  a  some- 
what noted  character,  no  doubt  he  has  by  this  time,  satisfied 
the  people  that  it  was  neither.  However,  he  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  American  shore;  whether  the  boat  was  prepared 
beforehand  to  convey  the  noble  General  across,  I  cannot  say. 
I  afterwards  learned  that  others  had  attempted  to  cross,  and 
were  fired  on  by  Major  Paine,  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  at  that 
time  commander  of  the  Steamboat  Erie,  which  was  playing 


'ir:*T 


i 


t 


t'  i 


:i 


24 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


.  ..1  • 


!'':;*:: 


. 


J 


back  and  forth  along  the  channel  to  prevent  any  more  from 
crossing.     No  doubt   hundreds  of  pretended  Patriots,  were 

f leased  with  this  excuse  for  not  fulfilling  their  engagements, 
might  say  much  more  on  this  subject,  but  1  forbear,  for 
there  has  been  so  much  said  respecting  that  transaction  that 
I  have  not  room  in  this  work  to  rectify  all  the  mistaken  opin- 
ions respecting  tlie  getting  up  as  well  as  the  failure  of  the 
cause.  It  would  require  volumns,  for  'lere  were  thousands 
concerned. 

I  will  again  remark  that  I  consider  it  not  only  wrong  but 
very  hard  for  those  that  have  been  ibr  seven  long  years  per- 
secuted beyond  measure  and  some  beyond  endurance,  for 
many  have  been  murdered  upon  the  gallows,  whilst  others 
have  been  persecuted  to  death  by  a  long  series  of  abuse,  un- 
paralleled in  the  history  of  civili/cd  nations;  others  have 
stemcd  the  tide  of  persecution  ami  have  srccedt'd  in  reaching 
their  native  land.  Siiould  they  still  bo  persecuted  by  those 
that  were  once  our  pretended  friends  whoso  friendsiiio  to 
many  were  discovered  wheii  sore  alllicton  were  upon  them'? 
O!  Inhabitants  of  these  United  States,  as  well  as  Canada,  have 
you  not  yet  learned  the  cause  of  the  failure  of  the  patriots  in 
1837  and  8  1  Will  you  believe  me  when  1  say  for  the  rising 
generation  as  well  as  many  of  this,  that  have  been  imposed  up- 
on by  designing  sycophants,  that  the  cause  of  the  failure  was 
not  because  Canada  did  not  want  freedoui,  but  because  of 
bribery,  cowardice,  and  a  false  pretention  to  greatness  and 
abilit}^,  in  some  of  the  leading  characters.  Wijen  you  hear  a 
man  say,  "O  I  knew  tlie  Patriots  would  fail,"  you  may  more 
than  half  suspect  Miim  of  being  in  leaguo  wiili  those  who 
were  actually  the  cause  of  the  failure.  .  '>e.«!.J;  hiviSift:. 

After  wo  had  discovered  that  there  was  no  prospect  of  help, 
and  acontinual  strenglheningof  the  enemy's  ranks,  and  their 
determination  to  pen  us  in,  the  orders  were  to  retreat  to  the 
woods  that  we  might  the  more  easily  defend  ourselves;  but 
at  that  instant  Colonel  Ilarvelle,  and  some  others,  replied 
to  General  Putman's  orders,  "For  God's  sake  where  is  our 
roar-guard?  they  will  soon  be  up,  and  we  will  still  be  able 
to  flog  them."  We  stood  our  ground  fighting  with  determin- 
ned  lury,  until  it  was  in  vain  to  expect  help  from  the  rear- 
guard, and  all  hopes  of  holding  out  longer  against  so  many, 
«vas  given  up,  and  the  prospect  of  being  surrounded  and  made 


■3 


urn  no 
act  san 
trial  to 
tor  was 
of  the 
of  men 
oppress 
As  r 
woods, 
gether 
betraye 
some  h( 
ruled,  a 
the  bes 
asked  n 
answer 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


25 


.1 


lect  of  liolp, 
s,  and  their 
Btreat  to  the 
selves;  but 
ers,  replied 
vhere  is  our 
till  be  able 
h  determine 
m  the  rear- 
St  so  many, 
d  and  made 


more  from 
•iots,  wete 
»«gement8. 
3rbear,  for 
action  that 
aken  opin- 
lure  of  the 
3  thousands 

wrong  but 
f  years  per- 
il ranee,  for 
hilst  others 

abuse,  un- 
Dthers  have 
in  reacliing 
3d  by  thoBO 
endship  to 
upon  tiiem^ 
Janada,  have 
0  patriots  in 
M-  the  rising 
imposed  up- 

fiiilurc  was 

because  of 
eatnoss  and 

you  hear  a 
may  more 
those  who 


prisoners  or  slaughtered  on  the  spot,  was  obvious,  (the  latter 
of  which  I  have  many  times  since  wished  had  been  the  case,) 
we  concluded  best  to  retreat,  and  commenced  by  walking 
backwards,  loading  and  fireiiig  at  intervals  until  we  reached 
a  fence;  on  getting  over  the  fence  General  Putnam  was  shot, 
with  two  or  three  others.  Our  ranks  v/ere  then  broken,  some 
died  figiuing  to  the  last,  some  taken  prisoner,  others  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  woods  at  different  points,  hopinr^to  be  able  to 
rally  when  joinod  by  the  rear-guard  and  renew  the  attack;  but 
failed  in  tlie  attempt.    '   :'•'  "    '^         ;jr. :;. 

Thus  after  dooing  all  in  our  pov/er,  ended  the  unequal  con- 
flict. It  was  impossible  for  me  to  know  the  exact  number 
killed,  hut  as  near  as  I  could  lorrn,  it  v/ns  olc?voii  killed,  and 
about  ir.o  same  number  woundod  i:i  fill,  of  oi::  pai  "y,  v/hilst 
that  of  the  CU'  my  by  wiiat  I  cfiuld  di:  covo;-  ts.  tb'\*  tinio  and 
aftcrwnrd  ■•,  amounled  to  forty-four  liii'.od,  and  no'^r  tlio  .•-.nme 
number  v;ounded.  The  to/ieM  however  were  no'  f'onorally 
v/illing  to  ncknowlod^r^e  it,  but  I  was  afterwards  toK!  by  two  of 
tiie  BriLi..h  rogulruv;,  that  that  was  the  fact.  f*f'*^Tn; 

There  v. ere,  as  I  afierwnrds  learned  four  or  five  ta!;en  at, 
or  near,  the  close  of  the  cnf^jat'omenf,  brought  in^o  the  liritish 
Camp,  and  by  the  orders  of  Colonel  Prince,  shot  doivit  In  cool 
blood;  even  the  Indians,  on  beholding  this  cowardly,  and  out- 
rageous act,  turned  anay  .'.nd  was  head  to  say  in  their  native 
tongue,  "if  tliis  is  the  way  they  serve  the  prison?r.',  mo  fetch 
um  no  more;  me  fight  no  more  for  tiie  (^ueen."  Was  this 
act  sanctioned  ?  I  believe  it  was,  after  going  througli  a  mock 
trial  to  appease  the  indignation  of  the  people,  the  perpetra- 
tor was  raised  to  higher  oflico  in  Government,  ao  hundreds 
of  the  same  stamp  have  heretofore  been;  these  are  the  kind 
of  men  they  want  in  Governments  maintained  by  tyranny  and 
oppression. 

As  many  of  us  as  could  get  together  after  reaching  the 
woods,  called  a  council  of  war,  and  after  consulting  to- 
gether sometime,  come  to  the  conclusion  that  we  had  been 
betrayed,  and  that  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  renew  the  attack, 
some  however  were  determinned  to  do  so,  but  the  majority 
ruled,  and  it  was  finally  concluded  best  for  every  man  to  do 
the  best  he  could  for  himself.  Some  may,  and  have  already 
asked  me  why  did  you  go  over  with  so  small  a  force.  I  shall 
answer  you  according  to  the  honest  and  sincere  sentiment  of 


1 ,1'   B5  ••  .my 


if 


.•'■m 


M' 


I'J 


26 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


I 


't  '■ 


M 


it 


hi 


Ji 


*i 


l\ 


my  hea^t.  The  standard  of  liberty  v/as  about  to  bo  planted  in 
Canada,  lowiiich  the  people  might  flock  and  show  to  lilngland, 
and  tothe  world,  their  determination  tostrugglo  for  their  rights, 
whiGh  Imd  almost  been  wrested  from  them,  by  tyrants  and 
oppl'essor.s,'«irM)rr'H  (f5*«f»ftof )'  e-meH  Aff?'S-*>70  -s'^nf !f><»  «»>  :*»or!^i  '■ 
fr  IJe  it  remembered,  that  I  together  with  thousands  had  pledg- 
ed my  word  and  honor  to  assist  in  erecting  and  maintaining 
this  Btaiidfird;  but  when  t})0  coiitein})iated  attempt  was  about 
to  be  made,  there  was  a  great  falling  oil".  blill  the  prospect 
appeared  favourable  for  the  atteiupt;  but  as  you  have  discov- 
ered, there  wore  too  many  promiss  of  help,  which  at  the 
critical  moment,  it  was  Ibund  could  not  be  relic  1  upon.  1  do 
not  so  much  blame  the  people  of  CjHKui'x,  lor  nt  iho  com- 
niencemeut  of  the  outbreak,  all  th.at  were  in  the  lenst  suspect- 
ed of  liberal  principals  wore  either  imprisoned  or  presied  in- 
to the  ranks  of  tlje  enon^y,  ai.d  other.-',  disarmed,  were  oblige 
to  fleo  to  the  United  Slnios;  while  their  wi\o*i  aiid  children 
Wtro  imposed  upon  by  the  soldiery,  not  so  mu;.-h  by  the  regu- 
lars, as  l)y  the  nuiitia  of  the  Province.  i)r.stnic!ion  ol' 
propeMy,  houses. burned,  devastation  anl  ruin  seemed  to  bo 
theglory  of  the  Queen's  Menials.  Finally  taking  nil  Uippc 
things  into  consideration,  many  were  the  causes  that  might 
here  be  more  minutely  explained,  but  it  would  swell  this  work 
to  loo  great  a  length.  ' 

I  shall  now  take  the  liberty  to  inlorm  you,  lliat  I  went  over 
because  I  agreed  to,  not  knowing  until  too  late,  but  that  oth- 
ers would  do  likewise;  but  their  iailure  has  had  t!ie  tendency 
to  bring  upon  me  and  others,  a  round  of  trials  anddilnculties 
which  it  has  been  almost  impossible  to  surmount,  somo  have 
been  crushed  under  their  weight, wliilst  there  utill  rtunains  those 
who  are  willing  to  continue  tlie  persecution.  And  1  find  that 
those  who  forsook  their  colors  when  their  help  was  most 
needed,  now  plead,  for  an  excuse  that  our  government  was 
opposed  to  it;  and  to  make  people  believe  the}-  are  very  know- 
ing men,  repeatedly  siu',  "Oh,  I  knew  the  Patriots  would 
fail."  Yet  I  find  since  my  return,  many  in  the  States,  and 
in  Canada,  are  too  well  acquainted  with  the  circumstan- 
ces of  our  failure  and  subsequent  treatment  to  cast  upon  us 
any  slur  whatever.  Men  that  have  felt  for  the  woes  of  oth- 
ers, and  have  felt  it  their  duty  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  al- 
leviate our  horrible  sufferings,  during  our  illegal  confinenoent; 


i 


allhc 
they 
glel 

some 

long 

histo 


1 


PATiaOT    EXILE. 


«?. 


although  lliey  have  not  hoc]  it  in  thoir  power  to  succeed  as 
they  have  wished.  loBut  linnil  y,  at'tor  a  long  and  tedious  strug- 
gle have  had  the  sali.sl'action  of  iiearing  and  knowing  that 
some,  though  not  .-ill,  have  returned  from  hondago  alter  so 
long  and  indrscribablo  a  sorier,  ot*  ab  ise,  unparallekd  in  the 
history  of  civilizfilion;  some  of  \^  hich  1  shall  now,  without 
any  e.xngeration,  atlemjit  to  d^\scribo.     ' 

You  will  recollect  our  assembling  in  t'le  woods,  and  our 
determination  to  do  whul  we  considered  best,  which  was  for 
each  man  to  take  his  own  course  in  cndeavorijior  to  reach  the 
ijnili3d  States.  h'ome,  a.*^]  I  al'tcrwcirds  learned,  ruccoed- 
ed  in  so  doing, — oliicr;  were  shot  in  the  alLemj)t,  while  tho 
remainder  were  taken  prisoners,  and  either  condned  or  shot 
down  by  order  of  Colonel  i'rince.  Some  may  ask,  why  did 
you  not  make  a  forced  march  to  tho  rivor,  take  boats  and 
cross  over.  To  this  1  must  reply,  it  was  talked  of,  but  our 
force,  at  that  lim( ,  was  not  suilicient  to  insure  F-uccess. — 
Some  thought,  the  woods  being  very  extensive,  and  supposing 
there  were  many  "Pntriots  living  in  that  district,  that  we  might 
fmally  the  most,  or  all  of  us,  succeed  in  evading  their  search, 
and  in  time  reach  a  ])lacoof  .s;ifety.  We  accordingly  separ- 
ated and  I  soon  fvunid  myself  jnirsued  by  a  man  hollowing  at 

the  top  t)f  his  voice,    "Stop  liiere,  stop,  3-ou  d d  rebel,  or 

I'll  shoot  you  !  stop,  slop!''  I  was  near  a  fence  at  that  time 
crossing  a  lield,  I  proceeded  to  the  fence,  dropped  on  one 
knee,  put  my  rifle  through  tho  fence,  took  deliberate  aim; 
he  had  a  gun  and  was  gaining  on  me — I  had  a  canister  of 
powder,  j>oucliot  balls,  two  pistols  and  aniOver-^-oat  on,  which 
prevented  me  from  attem})ting  to  run.  I  saw  all  hopes  of 
escape  v»as  useless;  I  discharged  my  rifle,  but  cannot  say 
whether  it  hit  the  mark  or  not,  for  I  did  not  look;  but  imme- 
diately rose  and  walked  off.     At  any  rate,  I  heard  no  more 

"stop  there  you   d d  rebel."       You  may  ask,  could  you 

not  have  got  along  without  fireing,  I  thought  not,  it  was 
about  three  o'clock  in  the  after  noon  of  the  day  of  our  battle, 
I  was  very  tired,  and  having  fasted  for  nearly  two  days, 
[  was  in  great  need  of  rest.  After  passing  through  a  piece 
Df  woods  about  three-fouiflis  of  a  mile,  I  arrived  at  a  clear- 
ing where  was  a  house  and  barn,  I  concluded  best  to  go  into 
che  barri  and  try  to  get  some  rest. 

I  had  been  there  but  a  few  minutes    when  I    heard  the 


h'-'i' 


\  !■  J^-:'i. 


."■1  ■ 


i  V- 


28 


NAARATIVS  09  A 


\ 


•i;  I 


ft 


f 


tramping  of  horsos,  looked  oi»t  of  the  door  and  discovered, 
as  near  as  I  could  judge,  ten  or  twelve  dragoons  approach- 
ing. I  had  but  little  time  to  consider,  out  concluJed  to  as- 
cend the  ladder  to  the  hay-mow,  dug  a  hole  in  the  hay  to 
some  depth,  pulled  the  hay  down  to  make  all  as  smooth  as 
possible,  and  had  just  got  a  pistol  in  each  hand  as  the  door 
flew  open;  in  they  rushed  crjing,  *'ccme  out  you  d d  reb- 
el, we'll  shoot  you,  we'll  not  lake  you  before  the  Colonel  to 
bo  shot;  come  out,  come  out  we'll  hang  you!"  said,  some, 
others,  "we'll  quarter  you  and  feed  you  to  the  hogs  as  we've 
just  served  one!"  &c.  &;c.  They  made  a  general  search, 
two  or  three  got  on  the  hay-mow  ran  their  swords  down  in 
many  places,  remarking  "I'll  fetch  the  blood  from  the  damned 
rebel,"  and  once  or  twice  they  came  very  near  it.  They 
passed  over  me  several  times,  talked  of  burning  the  barn;  but 
concluded  as  it  belonged  to  one  of  their  stamp,  it  would  not 
do.     They  finally  went  their  way  remarking,  "I  don't  think 

there  is  any  one  here  I  believe  that  d d  Nigger  lied." — 

When  all  was  still,  I  went  to  the  door  looked  out,  but  could 
see  no  one,  I  then  went  back  and  laid  down  to  rest,  and  if  all 
remained  quiet,  to  take  a  short  nap.  It  was  now  near  sun- 
down. I  disposed  of  some  papers  which  had  become  of  no 
use  to  me,  and  if  taken  might  be  of  great  damage.  I  had  not 
laid  over  20  minutes  when  the  door  was  again  opened,  and 
three  or  four  stepped  in,  walked  across  the  floor  several  times 
saying,  "if  he  is  in  here  we  will  place  a  sentry  at  the  doors 
and  starve  him  out,"  and  then  went  their  way.  Again  all 
was  still,  and  in  tem  minutes  I  was  fast  asleep.  I  had  neg- 
lected to  wind  my  watch,  and  on  awaking  could  not  tell  how 
long  I  had  slept;  but  it  was  dark  and  1  should  judge  about  12 
o'clock;  I  was  somewhat  refreshed  by  sleep  it  being  the  first 
I  had  received  for  two  days  and  nights,  having  taken  no  food 
in  the  time  felt  a  little  hungry.  I  came  cautiously  down 
thinking  they  might  be  there,  went  to  the  door  to  see  if  they 
had  placed  sentries  at  the  door,  and  on  finding  none,  started 
out  not  knowing  where  or  which  way  to  go.  1  travelled  until 
day-light  principally  in  the  woods,  three  times  during  the 
night  I  was  near  being  discovered  by  Indians  as  I  supposed 
by  their  talk;  they  passed  within  a  few  feet  of  me  several 
times.  -..i-i^T.  ^-.//^  'j^  ji  v.Mu.i.ji^ 

.'    On  the  approach  of  daylight  I  fouiid  by  self  within  tWehty 


imp 
thou 
with 
to  p 
I  ha 
then^ 
riot.s 
in  F 
thin^ 
yean 
you  ( 
in  thi 
me  " 
hesitf 
"No 
time 
"Are 
intenc 
intent 
three 
two  oj 
pistols 
you  m 
I  saw 
repliec 
there;' 
search 
;     discovc 
dispatc 
but  it  \ 
that  CO 
cernin^ 
talking 
it  will  I 
there  w 
me  on 
cured,  i 
thinkinj 
ty  pres( 
we  had  i 


» I 


V 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


29 


liscovered, 
approach- 
iJed  to  as- 
ihe  hay  to 
smooth  as 
IS  the  door 

1 d  reb- 

Colonel  to 
said,  some, 
gs  as  we've 
Val  search, 
Js  dov.n  in 
the  damned 
i-  it.     They 
lebarn;  but 
t  would  not 
don't  think 
gev  iied." — 
t,  but  could 
t,  and  if  all 
V  near  sun- 
become  of  no 
I  had  not 
lopened,  and 
levcral  times 
.t  the  doors 
Again  all 
I  had  neg- 
,ot  tell  how 
Igc  about  12 
ing  the  first 
ken  no  food 
usly  down 
see  if  they 
lone,  started 
veiled  until 
during  the 
1  supposed 
me  several 

thin  twenty 


rods  of  a  fence,  and  about  sixty  rods  from  a  house;  it  was 
impossible  for  me  to  travel  fartlier  williout  food;  I  lliereforo 
thought  it  host  to  venture  in  and  purchase  (for  1  hnd  money 
with  me)  if  possible,  somolhiiig  to  satisfy  hunger.  I  therefore 
to  prevent  suspicion  hid  my  rifle,  but  kept  my  pistols,  which 
I  had  in  a  belt,  and  buttoned  my  overcoat  which  concealed 
them.  1  did  not  know  hut  they  might  bo  friendly  to  the  Pat- 
riots;— I  knocked  at  tho  door,  and  they  birl  mo  conio  in, 
in  French.  1  asked  tho  woman  if  she  would  sill  mo  some- 
thing to  eat;  she  did  not  understand  me,  hut  a  girl  about  six 
years  old,  I  should  judge,  replied  in  very  good  engiisli,  "yes  sir 
you  can  have  som':thing;"  these  two  were  the  only  poisons 
in  the  room.  VVhile  sitting  at  the  table  the  little  girl  asked 
me  "if  I  was  a  Patriot."  Fearing  notliing  from  them,  t  un- 
hesitatingly replied,  "Yes,  are  not  your  folks  Patriots?" — 
"No  sir,"  said  she,  "my  fatlier  is  not,  but — "  just  at  that 
time  he  came  in  tVom  a  back  room,  and  asked  in  a  loud  tone 
"Are  you  a  Patriot?"  "Yes,"  said  I,  rising  from  the  table 
intending  to  make  my  exit  as  soon  as  possible;  he  saw  my 
intention,  and  quickly  spoke  in  French,  when  to  my  surprise 
three  large  bony  Frenchmen  appeared  at  the  same  door; — 
two  of  them  had  large  swords  by  their  sides,  and  belts  with 
pistols;  tho  other  one  had  a  gun.  "You  are  my  prisoner, 
you  must  go  to  Sandwich,  with  us!"  said  the  man  of  the  house. 
I  saw  I  was  fast,  for  the' present,  at  all  events,  and  at  once 
replied,  "there  is  where  1  want  to  go,  for  I  have  some  friends 
there;"  hoping,  by  submitting  willingly,  that  they  might  not 
search  me;  this  had  its  desired  effect;  and  as  they  could  not 
discover  my  pistols,  (my  coat  being  buttoned)  two  lads  were 
dispatched  for  their  horses,  and  four  were  brought  to  the  door, 
but  it  wanted  the  fifth,  and  it  appeared  there  was  no  more 
that  could  be  used;  though  they  were  talking  in  French  con- 
cerning the  fifth  one,  1  could  understand  what  they  were 
talking  about,  and  replied: — "If  you  have  but  four  horses, 
it  will  be  one  for  each  of  you,  and  I  will  walk."  But  as 
there  was  some  woods  to  go  through,  they  preferred  having 
me  on  horse-back.  After  much  talking  a  horse  was  pro- 
cured, and  I  was  commanded  to  mount.  I  complied,  still 
thinking  it  would  not  take  long  to  dismount,  if  an  opportuni- 
ty presented  itself  in  passing  through  the  woods,  for  t  knew 
we  had  a  mile  or  more  to  pass  through;  but  to  my  disappoint* 


a 


.1«.V 


It  • 


flip 


y 

H|t 

tm 

kK^^  '' 

'■^ 

pi; 

(i 

S|| 

j 

Wik'^'' 

Pol  '' 

^wHB'i' 

m 


■' .»' 


i  ■ 


' 


30 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


h>  'I 


I  ■ 


r 


ment  a  ropo  was  produced  and  my  /eet  tied  under  tho  horse's 
belly,  to  prevvmt  mo  from  dismounling,  for  tliero  was 
no  Tear  of  my  rnnning  away  from  tliciri  with  it,  for  it  was  a 
poor  old  foundered  iiorsc,  with  whic.ii  it  was  inipossiblo  to 
raise  a  trot. 

Some  may  say,  "Ob!  if  I  had  been  in  your  place  I  would 
havo  done  dilleront,  you  hr.d  two  pistols,  why  did  you  not 
shoot  two  of  tlicin,  nnd  stand  your  clinnce  to  escnpe  from  the 
others?"  but  I  presume  you  would  not  have  done  nny  diilcr- 
eiU  in  my  situation.  Uccolloct  my  condition  to  contend  with 
four  very  large  and  strong  men,  rilier  being  nearly  tbrcedays 
and  nights  without  sleep,  with  tiie  exception  of  a  few  hours 
in  the  barn,  fasting  the  whole  lime,  cxcopiing  a  sliort  meal 
that  morning;  tnking  these  things  into  coni^idcraiion  mc  thinks 
you  could  not  havo  done  much  diflbrent.  ,     -       ■  ■ 

A  j>re;iaration  was  made  for  a  start,  one  on  each  side,  ono 
behind  and  one  before:  on  moving  off  I  discovered  the  liltla 
girl  drying  her  eyes  with  her  apron,  and  two  little  boys  with 
tears  streaming  down  their  cheeks,  wh.ich  convinced  me  that 
they  were  of  dillerent  cast  than  those  in  arms  against  me.— 
May  God  prt'tect  them  from  harm,  and  as  ihey  grow  up  may 
they  cherish  and  protect  liberal  jn-incipals.  We  were  about 
five  miles  distant  tl'om  Sandwieii;  on  our  way,  the  one  on  my 
right  side  was  very  free  to  lalk,  he  said  '-No  doubt  Prince 
will  have  you  shot  at  once,  as  wo  havo  heard  he  was .  shoot- 
ing them  down -as  fast  as  they  were  brought  in."  "Shall  I 
be  brought  at  once  before  him?"  "Yes,"  he  replied.  You 
may  think  it  strange,  but  from  that  moment  1  came  to  the 
conclusion  to  commit  an  act  which  to  many,  no  doubt  would, 
appear  horrible;  but  let  them  consider  my  situation — no  hopes 
of  escape — about  to  bo  ushered  into  the  presence  of  a  demon, 
who  was  deliberately  murdering  better  men  than  he  ever  was 
—feeling  confident  that  pleading  would  avail  nothing — being 
aimed  with  pistols,  I  had  nothing  to  hope  on  my  arrival  bo- 
foi'e  such  a  cowardly  tyrant; — I  came  to  the  full  determina- 
tion on  approaching  him  to  draw  my  pistols  and  rid  the  coua," 
tfy  of  one  of  Britons  favourites,  Colonel  John  Prince.  But 
luckily  for  him,  and  perhaps  for  me,  the  would  be  lord  was 
wl,  his  dinner. 

V  Oci  my  approach  to  the  jail}  I  wa,j  accosted  by  as  ma.nj 
•ir^AMikii  g!et  wound  the  borse^  ci'yingaut: — <' We've  gotyoy^ 


K! 


PATKIOfT   EXILE. 


»1 


ho  horse's 
hero  was 
)r  it  was  a 

)Ossiblo  to 

[•e  I  would 

d  you  not 
e  from  tho 
any  ilillcr- 
nt.'nd  with 
three  days 
.  low  hours 
sliort  meal 
1  inc  thinks 

h  r>id?,  ono 
■d  tho  littlo 
e  boys  with 
Ljcd  nic  that 
ainst  iTie. — 
•ow  up  may 
were  about 
)  one  on  my 
ubt  Prir.co 
was  shoot- 
''Shnll  I 
ied.      You 
ame  to  tha 
ubt  would, 
-no  hopes 
jr  a  demon, 
e  ever  was 
ing — being 
arrival  bo- 
deter  mina* 
bd  the  couD.- 
ince.     But 
Q  lard  waa 


'i 


i 


dismount,  we'll  have  a  fine  shooting  match,  to-morrow!  we'v* 
got  eighteen  rebels  in  jail  here,  they'll  all  be  shot  or  hung; 
the  Colonel  says  he'll  not  wait  for  orders.  Furthermore, 
your  go:)d  President  says  in  a  late  |)roclamlion,  'the  Patriots 
are  all  a  set  of  robbers  and  horsothieve;;,'  and  well  have  you 

all  shot !"     ''its  a  d- d  lie,"    said  a  man  at  the  top  of  his 

voice,  at  the  snme  time  making  his  way  through  the  crowd, 
"I  was  at  tho  IJMrrncks  at  the  engagoinnnt  and  1  know  it  to 
be  a  lie;  they  beiiavcd  like  bravo  and  honest  men,  they  took 
me  and  thiriy-seven  oihcr  prisoners,  treated  us  like  gentlemen, 
took  nothing  from  us  but  our  guns,  told  us  it  was  not  for  plun- 
der they  had  come  to  Caiiada,but  to  protect  us  and  all  who  might 
throw  themselves  under  tlieir  protection.  Women  and  chil- 
dren cnme  out  crying  *for  God  sake  spare  them  !'  they  wore 
'old  to  go  bnck  to  their  houses,  and  renriiu  quiet,  for  neither 
they  nor  their  propei-l y  sliould  be  hurt  if  it  vvas  in  their  pow- 
er to  prevent  it;  and  I  know  says  he  there  was  no  property 
meddled  with,  or  deleneelcss  womt^n  or  cliildron  in  any  man- 
ner molested  to  m}'-  certain  knowledge;  for  while  we  were 
prisoners  before  and  afterward?,  wo  had  a  fair  chance  to 
know,  and  for  God  sake,"  said  ho  ''trrat  thoin  with  more  ci- 
vility." Two  or  throe  othei's  hollowed  out,  "treat  them  like 
men,  and  not  so  mi]ch  like  brutes,  for  they  behaved  like  gen- 
tlemen to  us.''  However  such  talk  did  not  sound  well  in 
their  ears.  ''Away  with  him!"  "Away  with  him  ! !"  was 
the  prevailitK^  cry,  "listen  not  to  such  speeches,  it  sounds  too 
much  like  rribellion  in  our  crunp,  nway  with  him,"  and  I  was 
pushed  through  tho  crowd  into  tho  hall,  but  in  getting  through 

my  overcoat  was  pulled  off.      "Oh  !  the  d d  rebel,  he  has 

got  two  large  |)istols  and  a  Bouioknife  !"  (It  was  a  dirk  about 
ten  inches  long.)  a  number  of  hrxnds  were  trying  to  find  their 
way  into  my  j)oekets,  for  all  prisoners  were  plundered  of 
money  watches  fine  boots  clotlios  and  caps  or  hats  that  were 
of  any  value,  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  wns  soon  in  the  presence  of  three  or  four  of  Her  Majes- 
ties Bsquires; — "Well,"  says  they  "you  rebels  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  taking  Canada,  I  suppose  you  are  one,  are  you  not?" 
"I  owe  the  Queen  no  nllegiance,  consequently  am  not  a  reb- 
el, as  you  term  me,"  was  my  reply.  "Oh  that'll  do !  these 
pistols  and  dirk,  with  the  powder  and  balls,  sotisfies  us  for  the 
present;  put  him  in  the  cells!"     I  was  ushered  from  their 


fQ 


li,  ifii 


'hi 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


■<  '} 


I 


fV  •  i  I 


presence,  which  I  did  not  much  desire,  into  the  presence  of  a 
gentleman  by  the  name  of  Joshua  G.  Donn,  in  a  snug  little 
cell,  and  was  soon  introduced  to  him  I)}'  a  pair  of  the  Queen's 
Jewels,  attaciicd  to  our  wrists  and  uncles.  These  Jewels  as 
they  were  called,  wore,  and  had  been,  in  great  use  in  Cana- 
da, and  much  worn  by  a  great  many  honest  and  good  men. 
1  soon  learned  from  iiimthc  account  of  liis  cnplurc,  together 
with  seventeen  oli)ers,  wlio  wore  conlined  in  dill'erent  parts 
of  the  jail,  all  stiongly  ironed. 

Mr.  Doan  told  mo  tjjat  ho  togeliicr  with  sixotiiers  had  been 
brougljt  there  thai  morning  in  a  waggon;  C-olonel  Piinco 
met  them  near  tiio  jail,  and  ordered  the  driver  to  wheel  and 
drive  to  the  comniuii,  a  lar^o  open  field,  and  ho  would  send  a 
detachment  of  soldiers,  and  liavc  them  shot  at  once. 

"Preparations  were  mnkiug,"  said  iMr.  1).  "the  soldiers  ap- 
peared, and  we  were  <i;clling  <jut  of  the  waggon,  Col.  Ciiaun- 
cey  Siieldon  arose  to  I'ollow,  aiKJ  Co!.  Airey  ol  the  rcgidar 
army  was  seen  a|)j)ro;iching  within  a  few  j)accs;  Col.  ;:hel- 
don  made  a  sign  which  was  quickly  noticed  by  Col.  Airey, 
who  at  once  cried  out,  'hold  !'  all  prcj);i  rations  ceased  at  once, 
as  he  Cfime  uj),  'who  commands  herc^  Wh.-it  audacious  act  is 
this  about  to  br  commilled  V  'C\)loiicl  Prince,  of  the  Mili- 
tia, sir,'  replied  an  uiuior  officer.  Col.  P.  was  con»manded 
to  aj)penr  forthwith,  a^d  aflor  ihe  u'oual  salute.  Col.  Airey  re- 
plied, 'good  God,  Colonel  what  arc  you  about '?  'leaking  the 
law  into  your  own  hrinds,  and  delibcralcly  murdering  men 
that  the  savages  have  spai-ed  !  I  have  heard  of  your  mur- 
dering the  men,  and  have  hnstencd  here  to  learn  the  iruth; 
hoping  you  could  not  be  guilty  of  so  outngeous  an  act.;  but 
have  found  it  loo  true  !  Lot  those  men  be  confined,  and  you 
Col.  Prince  prepare  for  Court  Martial.' 

"For  my  part,"  coritinued  Mr.  1).  "I  ;im  sorry  that  Colonel 
Airey  came  up  just  as  he  did,  for  I  hrid  much  rather  be  shot 
than  hung."  As  there  had  been  a  reward  olfercd  for  him,  he 
felt  sure  tliat  he  would  not  escape.  "It  looks  rather  dark," 
said  I,  "for  all  as  well  as  you.  That  afternoon  there  were 
five  or  six  more  brought  in; — it  was  very  cold,  and  no  fire 
or  a  sign  of  bedding; — some  cells  wore  so  crowded  it  was  im- 
possible to  lay  down;  nnd  it  was  10  o'clock  in  the  evening 
when  we  received  a  few  mouthsfull  of  coarse  bread,  and  a  very 
little  soup,  so  called.     Although  very  tired   could  not  sleep 


was  Yi 
Wl 
Doan 
with 
our  c( 
exami 
glass 
eyes  c 
alive 
curscc 
Torie; 
man's 
Ith 
ble  plr 
less  th 
words 
if  it  w; 
1  minute 
for  war 
a  stron 
much  t 
about  t 
the  ski 
which 
one  coi 
Orde 
either  £ 
miles,  " 
shop,  -, 
withoui 
lar  law 
shop, 
with  thi 
for  I  be 
though 
fire  at  tl 
shiverii 


resenco  of  o 
%  snug  little 
the  Queen's 

0  Jewels  as 
jse  in  Cana- 
d  good  men. 
iro,  logellier 
illerenl  parts 
.  J.      •■;  n  *- 
lers  had  been 
lonel  Prince 
lo  wheel  and 
would  send  a 
lice. 

ic  soldiers  ap- 
,  Col.  Clhiun- 

1  ilio  regular 
)s;  Col.  ;:hel- 
v  Col.  Airey, 
eased  at  once, 
(]acl(jus  act  is 

of  the  Mili-  ; 
connnanded  , 

Airey  re- 

leaking  the 

•iloring  men 

f  your  mur- 

n  the  irulh; 

an  act;  but 

lueu,  and  you 


that  Colonel 
itiier  be  shot 
d  for  him,  he 
■atlier  dark," 
11  there  were 
and  no  fire 
ed  it  was  im- 

the  evening 
d,  and  a  very 

Id  not  sleep 


1 

Oi. 


PATRIOT   £XIIiE.  M 

much  that  night,  one  reason  was,  we  had  no  room  to  lay  down, 
and  another  was,  every  few  minutes  some  one  would  come 
to  the  door,  to  inform  us  that  wo  wore  all  to  bo  shot  or  hung 
in  a  day  or  two,  as  a  court  martial  was  about  sitting  and  Ihero 
was  no  prospect  of  escape. 

Wh^ni  daylight  appeared,  although  to  us  very  dim,  at  most, 
Doan  remarked,  "I  believe,  by  my  feelings,  tho  cell  is  alive 
with  lice."  I  at  once  agreed  with  him;  and  on  consulting 
our  comrade,  they  were  all  of  the  same  opinion.  On  close 
examination  that  day,  although  there  was  but  one  pane  of 
glass  with  bars  of  iron  on  each  side,  wo  could,  by  putting  our 
eyes  close  to  the  floor,  discover  that  the  cracks  were  literally 
alive  with  largo  body  lico;  all  of  us  from  that  time  were 
cursed  with  an  enemy  that  much  assisted  their  brother 
Tories  in  their  persecutions,  until  our  arrival  at  Van  Die- 
man's   Land. 

I  think  it  was  tho  fifth  day  from  our  arrival  at  that  horri- 
ble place  that  orders  were  given  to  prepare  to  move,  and  in 
less  than  ten  minutes  our  door  was  thrown  open,  with  the 
words  "come  out  here  !"  wc  was  glad  lo  hear  the  order,  oven 
if  it  was  to  be  shot.  We  were  paraded  in  the  hall,  our  irons 
minutely  examined,  ordered  to  step  back,  and  otliers  brought 
forward  until  all  were  examined,  then  marched  out  through 
a  strong  guard  on  botii  sides  which  reached  to  the  road;  with 
much  trouble  wo  succeeded  in  getting  into  waggons,  it  was 
about  ten  o'clock  in  tho  evening,  and  in  getting  in  some  had 
the  skin  torn  from  their  ancles,  by  tho  clevises  and  pins, 
which  were  so  tight,  and  fetching  our  feet  so  close  together, 
ono  could  not  move  an  inch  without  the  other. 

Orders  were  given  to  move  on,  a  large  body  of  dragoons  on 
either  side  to  guard  us;  we  had  not  proceeded  over  four 
miles,  when  the  orders  wore  *'halt,"  we  we r^  opposite  a  grog 
shop,  which,  as  they  said,  was  against  the  law  to  pass 
without  calling.  Tho  Province  was  then  governed  by  simi- 
lar laws,  and  by  men  that  were  bound  not  to  pass  the  grog 
shop.  Whilst  they  were  by  turns  regaleing  themselves 
with  that  delicious  beverage,  rum,  and  its  companion,  fire, 
for  I  believe  it  is  hard  to  tell  which  is  the  most  destructive, 
though  both  good  in  their  place,  I  am  sure  that  we  needed 
fire  at  that  time,  but  was  oblige  to  sit,  (it  is  hard  to  tell  how,) 
shivering  and  some  freezing  for  a  long  hour,  when  the  orde^ 

'^  ^msj  rTut>.       ^m     .oiu  uu  oi««  bna  ivv?  ■i^tiUm.  fooiiO")!  al- 


ii   ( 


1     r:| 


Ik 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


! 


■I   ( 


;    I 


ware  "ready,  march !"  About  five  miles  farther,  and  we 
halted  before  another  grog  shop,  and  about  the  same  ma- 
IkCBuvering  here  as  at  the  former  place;  aAer  sitting  another 
hour,  shivering  and  freezing,  bound  tight  together  with  irons, 
and  receiving  repeated  insults,  orders  were  again  to  march. 
Af^er  traveling  seven  or  eight  miles  farther  we  were  ordered 
to  turn  out;  some  three  or  four  on  reaching  the  ground  could 
not  stand;  being  so  long  in  one  position,  chilled,  their  feet 
frozen,  the  irons  being  so  tight  as  to  prevent  the  circulation  of 
blood,  were  obliged  to  be  carried  or  led  into  Fort  Maiden.— 
1  think  there  were  twenty  eight  of  us  ail  in  one  room,  about 
twelve  by  eighteen.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  fully  our 
sufferings,  during  our  seven  weeks  stay  at  that  place;  1  shall, 
however,  attempt  to  give  you  a  faint  description  of  a  part. 

Previous  to  our  leaving  Sandwich  we  were  separated,  or 
in  other  vords  changed  partners,  which  was  universrlly  the 
rule,  ofier  being  a  short  time  together,  to  prevent  plans  of 
escape.  I  was  at  this  time  chained  whh  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Daniel  Swetman  who  afterwards  proved  himselftobea 
traitor,  and  Queen's  witness;  but  I  considered  him  no  worse 
than  hundreds,  who  had  deserted  us,  on  our  attempt  to  erect 
the  struidard  of  Liberty  in  Canada.  He  was  taken  out  and 
questioned  three  times  during  our  stay  there;  I  mistrusted  him 
the  first  time,  and  when  he  came  i)ack,  1  asked  him  if  he  was 
about  turning  Queen's  witnoss,  (we  had  to  speak  in  a  whis- 
per) he  replied  "yes,  and  there  is  a  chance  for  you,  they  say 
they  want  some  more."     "You  tell  them  for  me,  that  they 

may  go  to  the  d 1  for  Queen's  witnesses,   for  my  ooth 

would    not  allow    me    to  hang    my  companions  in  a  good 
cause.'*     "Well,"  says  he  "do  as  you  likcj  but  I  am  one  and  j 
ahall  hang  Perley,  Cunningham,  and  Doan."     "Could  you  I 
not  have  got  along  by  hanging  one?"  said  I.     He  replied, 
^*No,  1  tried  hard,  but  they  told  me  I  must  go  as  high  as 
three.'*     I  told  him  "there  was  no  need  of  his  swearing 
against  Doan,  for  his  fate  was  sealed."     "Well,"  says  he 
■ay  nothing,  I  will  try  to  get  along  without  hanging  any  if 
possible."     "Do,"  says  I,  "it  is  a  hard  thing  to  die  in  a  good 
oause,  but  its  harder  to  hang  three  better  men  than  you  ever] 
was,  to  save  one,  according  to  your  principle,  a  curse  to  him* 
.aelf  and  the  world.     I  pray  you  consider  what  you  are  about  t'1 
tie  looked  rather  sour  and  said  no  more  for  some  time,  hel 


19  a 


FATRIOT  CZfLi 


td 


»  same  ma- 
ng  another 
•  with  irons, 
1  to  Doarch. 
ere  ordered 
round  could 
their  feet 
rculation  of 
,  Maiden.— 
room,  about 
e  fully  our 
ace;  I  shall, 
of  a  part. 
Bparated,  or 
versrlly  the 
^ent  plans  of 
»y  the  name 
nself to  be  a 
lim  no  worse 
[T.pt  to  erect 
iken  out  and   I 
istrusted  him  \ 
im  if  he  was 
ik  in  a  whis- 
ou, they  say 
le,  that  they  | 
for  my  oath  " 
IS  in  a  good 
am  one  and 
"Could  you  1 
He  replied, 
as  high  as 
is  swearing 
ill,'*  says  he 
iging  any  if 
lie  in  a  good 
an  you  ever 
:urse  to  him* 
are  about  t" 
)me  time,  he 


was  shortly  aHerwarde,  called  out  agaii.  I  then  .onsidered 
it  my  duty  to  inform  them  of  his  des'^,  the}  »ied  thej 
could  not  believe  it,  *^What  I  tell  you  is  true,*'  aii'd  I,  t'  yw 
were  afterwards  convinced  of  the  fact.  1  might  aay  me  jU 
more  on  this  subject  but  it  is  painful. 

To  return.  We  were  twenty-four  hours  in  this  place  oe- 
fore  we  received  any  food,  the  door  was  then  opened,  a  large 
bucket  of  Beefs  head  boiled,  and  in  the  water,  was  set  down  in 
the  middle  of  the  floor;  the  man  said  nothing,  turned  and 
went  off,  we  waited  sometime,  thinking  he  would  return  with 
some  implements,  not  of  war,  but  to  attack  the  bullock's 
head  with.  You  may  judge  we  were  very  hungry,  and  the 
centry  said  there  wus  no  signs  of  his  return,  that  we  might 
manage  it  as  we  could.  You  recollect  we  were  strongly 
ironed,  two  together  hand  and  foot,  and  but  one  hand  at  lib* 
erty;  two  approached  the  bucket,  and  with  one  hand,  man- 
aged to  extract  a  liitlo  from  the  head,  both  obliged  to  kneel 
to  sup  a  little  of  the  broth,  which  was  warm  and  revived  us 
a  little;  this  couple  then  stepped  back,  and  another  approach- 
ed and  performed  in  like  manner;  though  each  one  took  but 
little,  tliree  or  four  that  were  last  had  nothing,  we  informed 
the  centry  of  it,  he  said  he  would  see  if  his  mess-mates,  which 
were  in  the  adjoining  room,  had  not  a  little  to  keep  them 
from  starving,  they  sent  us  a  little  bread  and  soup.  ^?omeof 
the  regular  soldiers,  in  the  absence  of  officers,  felt  disposed 
to  assist,  us  at  times,  in  that  way.  They,  mostly  all,  knew 
how  to  pity  our  suflering,  and  would  often  assist  if  it  was  in 
their  power,  but  are  generally  compelled  to  be  tyrants,  es- 
pecially in  the  presence  of  their  officers. 

Messrs.  Woodman,  Sweet,  Higgins,  myselfand  two  or  three 
others  suflered  extremely  by  frozen  feet  They  were  so 
Bwolen  in  a  few  days  after  our  arrival  there,  that  we  were 
obliged  to  cut  our  boots  from  our  chains  down,  as  the  chains 
prevented  us  from  getting  them  off.  Any  one  that  has  ever 
had  frozen  limbs  can  judge  our  situation,  for  weeks  they  felt 
as  though  they  were  in  hot  embers.  Many  had  their  ancles 
80  swolen  by  the  small  clevises,  that  they  suffered  extremely, 
it  was  with  much  difficultv  that  thev  were  removed,  and  re> 
placed  with  larger  ones.  I  solemnly  declare  to  you  that  our 
sufferings  here  were  almost  beyond  endurance,  and  as  this 
ia  a  sample  of  our  treatmenl  for  about  nine  months  in 


^  ^' 


I*:*,' 


9d 


NARftATlVfi  OF  A 


»    *k 


; 


I  : 


h 


difierent  prisons,  until  our  arrival  at  Kingston  or  Ft.  Honry,  it 
inducoH  mo  to  bo  rnoio  particular,  indiscribing  somo  of  thom. 
Look  for  a  moment  at  our  prison,  and  thoro  beliold  twenty- 
oight  mqn  in  a  small  room,  situated  on  the  beach  of  lako  Erio 
in  the  miilHlo  of  winter,  without  fire,  or  bedding  of  any  kind, 
fastened  togelher  by  twos,  not  more  than  half  enough  to  eat, 
and  that  filthy,  and  ol  tiie  coarsest  kind,  and  nothing  to  cat  it 
with;  somo  obliged  to  sit  while  others  were  trying  to  sleep, 
by  lying  upon  their  hacks  or  faces,  if  one  siiould  stir  in  tho 
least  without  tho  knowledge  of  the  other  it  would  cause  him 
to  cry  out,  'you  are  tearing  my  ancle  or  wrist  oir,"  and  per- 
haps one  would  want  to  gel  up  to  go  to  tho  fiih  whicli  was  sit- 
ting in  one  corner  of  the  name  room,  but  could  not  go  without 
his  mate,  who  was  perhaps  nslecj),  and  in  getting  to  it, 
obliged  to  pass  over  others,  that  were  sleeping,  cnusing  them 
to  cry  out,  "get  off!  Oh  God  !  your  are  killing  me  !"  oth- 
ers, "you  aro  breaking  my  legs  !"  "you  are  breaking  my 
head!"  "Oh!  get  off  of  my  arms!"  tS^c.  <S^c.;  but  to  tho  tub 
must  go;  which  frequently  was  not  emptied  until  tho  contents 
were  all  over  the  floor,  and  running  under  us  while  sleeping. 
You  may  judge  our  room  did  not  send  forth  a  very  savory 
smell.  Then  add  to  this  and  much  more,  tho  lico  that  were 
continually  swelling  their  ranks,  and  if  thoso  with  only  two 
legs,  in  shape  of  men,  should  fail  in  taking  the  last  drop  of 
blood,  they  would  assist  them  all  in  their  power.  I  can  as- 
sure you  that  between  them  both,  they  came  very  near  ac- 
complishing the  work;  for  ngainst  this  formidable  foo,  we 
were  poorly  prepared  to  resist.  You  may  judge  of  the  in- 
crea.'-e,  when  our  clothes  wero  not  off  our  backs,  nor  a  change 
of  linen  for  ten  weeks,  and  some  wore  flanels;  no  doubt  you 
would  have  laughed  to  have  seen  them,  when  taken  off,  not 
to  exchange  thei|(fJror  new  ones,  but  for  the  purpo  e  of  wash- 
ing  ourselves  in  cold  water,  and  without  soap.  We  were  not 
allowed  a  razor  for  the  four  first  weeks.  After  being  tliore 
«ome  two  weeks.  Col.  Prince  came  in,  and  asked  a  number  of 
questions,  but  got  little  or  no  satisfaction;  among  them  wer© 
if  we  knew  such  and  sucb  men  I  We  knew  his  object  was  no 
good;  he  finally  asked  us  if  we  Icnew  Col.  Harvale?  tke  re- 
ply  was,  "Yes,  and  a  better  man  than  ever  wore  a  British 
uniform.  We  knew  he  had  been  murdered;  soon  after  the 
.liat^e,  he  wp^  9urroifQded;  by  eighteen  or  twenty  and  coili- 


•']'■ 


in  this  J 
leave  o 
grog  sh 
tightnes 
On  « 
of  our  j( 


rA'iUIOT    KXILE. 


Henry,  it 

of  thorn, 
d  twenty- 
lake  Erie 
my  kind, 
gh  to  eat, 
g  to  cat  it 
r  to  sleep, 
stir  in  the 
causo  him 
"  and  por- 
:h  was  sit- 
go  without 
Lting  to  it, 
sing  them 
nc!"    oth- 
!aking  my 
.  to  tlio  tub 
liG  contents 
0  slooping. 
cry  savory 
:>  tVat  were 
h  only  two 
St  drop  of 
I  can  as- 
ly  near  ac- 
lo  foe,  we 
of  the  in- 
r  a  change 
doubt  you 
[en  off,  not 
e  of  wash« 
e  were  not 
.eing  there 
number  of 
them  were 
ject  was  no 
Lie?  tke  re. 
|e  a  British 
after  iho 
and  colli* 


manded  to  surroiid.n*.  ''What  will  l)0  done  with  mo  if  I  do  1'' 
said  ho,  "Vou  will  bo  shot  iniinodialoly,  on  boing  brought  be- 
fore Col.  l'rii;co."  '''I'hen."  says  ho,  ''I  may  as  well  die 
hero  !"  Ho  was  a  Kculuckiiin,  ^lood  six  foot  two  inches,  and 
largo  in  piuporiiuii;  ho  went  at  ihoin  kilUd  ihroo  and  wound- 
ed foUi'  uiii(  IS,  hcfurc  ihoy  i.uc*.;ocdc(i  in  pinning  him  to  the 
ground  wiili  liK'ir  hayonoty.  lie  was  killed,  iiowovor,  on  tiio 
spot,  fought  to  iho  lust  with  dole.' mined  fury,  with  a  largo 
bowio-unifo.  »Sumo  others  who  luid  the  same  kind  o{  woaj)- 
ons,  I  id  done  likewise,      .-vi-  i..  ,..  -,  r   i.,.*    .,.ii  ♦ 

We  wero  now  aboMt  to  Icavo  this  place,  after  remaining 
hero  nbout  seven  weeks  in  the  siluation  above  partly  describ- 
f^d,  (lor  1  want  in  la'tguago  to  do  justice  in  desciibin,!^  tiio 
lux'i'ors  oi' liMt  |dicr'i)  an  oHio(.'r  c;uno  t')  tho  door,  cried  out, 
••j'ropare  to  move."  Illic^sthall  live  minules  a  lilucksniith 
was  m  o'lr  ro>Mn,  with  astron*^-  guard  at  iho  door,  six  were 
soon  overhauled,  and  niarched  out,  proriciuly  six  more, 
"that'll  do  for  the  present,"  said  llioy,  it  appeared  they  were 
alVaiu  to  lake  all  at  onco.  1  .•.  ill  hero  remark  that  tho  snnie 
chanoJiig  j)riiiiiois  was  observed  iiere  as  well  as  on  our  com- 
ing to  this  |daee.  I  was  now  chained  with  Cunningham; 
Swoelmui  iiau  i>'onc,  jinil  1  was  not  sorry.  Consider  mv  sit- 
nation  during  seven  weeks  chained  to  a  Queen's  witness,  in 
that  horrible  plaee;  many  times  wishing  to  converse  or  ask 
favors  which  were  natural  in  our  silualiun;  but  did  not,  moro 
than  possible.  _^r '  •  ,■  ><  s 

Foi:r  days  from  tlio  lime  the  first  wero  taken,  tlicsamo  call 
was  I'vv  iho  remainder,  twelve  occu|)ying  tw(^  sleighs,  and  the 
other  tour  one  sleigli.  Uations  were  weighed  out  for  all,  but 
on  our  wav  was  robbed  of  the  mest  of  ours.  There  was  a 
larcrt;  ti'ain  ofhorse  guards  in  the  rcir  as  well  as  fn^nt  of  tho 
sleighs  wo  occupied.  They  would  not  tell  us  where  we  wero 
bouiid  but  wo  concluded  to  London,  as  wo  had  heard  a  Court 
Martial  was  there  sitting,  and  at  liie  exj)iration  of  three  days, 
arrived  at  that  place.  The  same  rules  w«  re  observed  as  well 
in  this  journey  as  in  the  former,  we  were  not  allowed  to 
leave  our  position  during  the  day,  while  they  called  at  every 
grog  shop.  We  suficred  much  with  cold,  hungern^iand  the 
tightness  of  chains. 

On  calling  at  a  tavern  near  night  on  the  first  day 
of  our  journey,  a  man  came  out  a,nd  inquired  who  we  were, 


88 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


»f 


,'i 


•  i 


i..t 


on  being  told,  replied,  "I  will  bring  you  something  to  eat, 
we  thanked  him  kindly,  and  he  soon  returned,  but  as  he  was 
handing  us  some  pies  and  cakes,  was  commanded  to  be  off. 
He  replit'd  "It  is  a  shame  to  treat  men  in  that  manner,  freez- 
ing and  starving,"  he  seemed  determined  to  help  us;  but  in 
the  act  wns  knocked^ down  and  crually  beaten.  We  pled 
and  begged  for  God  soke  not  to  kill  him,  at  the  srinie  time 
trying  to  get  to  his  assif-lance,  but  was  ov-  rpowercd  and 
forced  to  submit.  I  believe  if  our  chains  had  boen  off  at  that 
time,  not  a  man  of  us  would  have  left  the  sp  t  alive;  but  I 
am  convinced  that  there  are  times  when  a  man  cnnnot  fight 
until  he  dies.  A  short  time  after  leaving,  I  asked  the  driver 
if  he  knew  the  man's  name  thnt  gave  the  orders  for  that  man 
who  was  so  crually  benlcn,  not  to  gi-^ous  the  pics  nnd 
cakes.  *'Noneofyour  business,"  was  tiio  reply.  Said  I  "it 
is  evident  he  is  a  Queen's  man."  "Yes,"  said  he.  "Well  is 
he  a  sample  of  your  tories?"  1  asked.  "Yes,  uid  if  you  don't 
behave  pretty  well  you'll  get  the  same  treUme-.t,"  continued 
the  driver,  "well  i'f  that  is  a  sample  Lord  deliver  inc  from 
ever  becoming  a  Que'  n's  man,"  I  re])lied. 

About  this  time  a  woman  came  running  down  to  the  road 
from  a  house  stamiing  some  twenty  rods  hack,  crying  at  the 
top  of  her  voice,  "Wiiat's  the  matter  ?  what's  the  matter?" 
Some  one  thinking  to  frigh!r>n  the  o'd  lady,  repliel  in  a  high 
tone,  "The  rebels  are  coming  through  the  country  driving 
all  before  them  !"  "I  aw;  glad  on't !  yes  I  am  plad  on't  for 
1  liave  been  praying  for  it  t;;o.;e  two  years."  One  of  our 
men  cried  out,  "God  bless  you  good  woman!"  One  would 
have  thought,  fr  ni  the  r  n -tions,  that  they  would  shoot  the 
old  lady  as  well  as  the  whole  of  us;  however  it  passed  off 
and  no  harm  done.        '-*-"'"'  ''^-'•^  *^«'  r^^ii.--:^  '»"a*-^  .'._m'M-^}^f^ 

It  was  by  this  time  near  night,  and  they  began  to  talk 
about  a  place  to  put  up,  one  of  them  "replied  there  is  an  able 
Scotch  farmer  aiwut  a  mile  ahead,  he  is  a  rebel  and  weMl 
make  l>im  keep  some  of  us,"  we  were  soon  in  front  ol' his 
door,  t!ie  gentleman  of  the  house  appeared.  "Well  old  man 
you  must  entertain  some  of  your  stamp  to  night."  "I  be- 
lieve theft  they  are  not  only  geiitlemen  but  would  be  willing 
to  accommodate  me  under  the  same  circumstances,"  replied 
the  old  man.  "Well,  well,  none  of  your  preaching  old  man, 
yro  want  the  strongest  room  iq  the  house  for  these  men,  don't 


i 


feii 


I     want 

I     selvc 

I     room 

I     the  b 

;     to  pr( 

^     ever 

the  In 

"01)  ] 

The 

hear  . 

soon 

grace 

tyrant 

renieii 

house 

the  go 

dy  yoi 

table, 

it  to  til 

ought 

then  n 

freezii: 

your  fc 

this  ini 

we  had 

two  mc 

and  wij 

As  V 

ing  by 

"I  don' 

let  you 

boards  i 

clothes; 

whisper 

rather  c 

their  cl( 

time,  th 

diately  < 

are  so  d 

tb€m  ag 

to  tell  h( 


I 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


as 


want  any  beds  for  tlicm,  but  wnnt  nil  youv'e  got  for  our- 
selves." Nothing  ofcohbcqucnco  was  farther  baid.  I'^verv 
room  in  iiis  house  was  <iJmost  ruined  that  night;  thuy  ordered 
the  best  the  iioubc  allordcd  lor  supper,  which  took  some  lime 
to  prci)are,  thore  being  so  much  conllision,  ihcy  woi-e,  how- 
ever sealed,  as  many  as  could,  and  when  they  were  all  done, 
the  lady  asked  if  the  prisoners  should  have  some  likewise? 
"Oh  no  they'll  do  wc^l  encjugh,  we'll  take  care  of  them." — 
The  lady's  Scotch  temper  was  u\)  in  a  moment,  v,e  could 
hoar  her  from  our  room,  and  she  fust  l^cgan  lo  plead,  but 
soon  began  in  louder  t(»nc,  telling  thorn  "they  were  a  dis- 
grace to  the  country,  and  the  country  is  almost  ruined  by 
tyrants  like  yourselves."  I\Iuch  more  was  said,  which  I  dis- 
renicmbcr,  but  it  was  to  the  purpose.  ''If  they  stop  in  this 
house  to-night  they  shall  have  as  good  as  I  have  gol,"  said 
the  good  lady,  and  went  about  preparing  the  same.  "Old  la- 
dy you  need  not  make  so  muc'i  fuss,  for  they  can't  sit  at  a 
table,  they  arc  in  irons,"  said  one.  "I  don't  care,  I  can  take 
it  to  them,  and  the  irons  can  be  taken  olF  their  w/ists,  you 
ought  to  bo  ashamed,  so  many  of  you  to  guaid  so  few,  and 
then  must  chain  them  hand  atid  foot,  and  use  them  hke  brutes, 
freezing  and  starving  them  in  this  mannei-;  for  shame  to  use 
your  follow  man  thus!  1  know  they  would  not  treat  you  in 
this  manner,"  continued  the  lady,  and  by  her  perseverance 
we  had  a  good  warm  supper  for  the  first  lime  within  ihe  last 
two  months.  I  can  assure  you  it  met  with  a  harty  reception, 
and  will  be  remembered  while  life  exists.  ■  ..  r'-  .r 

As  wo  were  about  to  retire  she  came  into  the  room  crowd- 
ing by  the  centry,  who  was  about  to  resist,  as  sho  exclaimed* 
"I  don't  caro  for  you  Mr.  Centry,  it's  my  own  liouse,  and  I'll. 
let  you  know  it;  these  men  shall  have  something  besides* 
boards  to  lay  on."  In  she  come,  with  her  arms  full  of  bed- 
clothes; I  happened  lo  be  near  the  door  as  she  entered,  and 
whispered  in  my  ear,  "I  think  them  blackguards  will  sleep 
rather  cold  to-night,  for  I  have  robbed  the  beds  of  nearly  ail 
their  clothing  for  you."  We  nearly  all  spoke  at  the  samft 
time,  thanking  her,  but  requesting  her  to  take  them  'ram^- 
diately  out  of  the  room;  "Why  *?"  said  she.  "Because  wa,. 
are  so  dirty,  they  will  be  ruined."  *'0b,  nol  I  can  wasik 
tb€m  again."  We  plead  every  way,  but  Were  finally  obliged 
to  tell  her  that  we  were  very  lousy,,  and  \h»  clothes  would.bft 


t; 


11!^ 


■n 


T :  i>'  rr- 


40 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


,'« 


>>  i 


' 


mined  forover."  At  last  sho  witlidrow  remarking,  "Oh,  my 
God!  my  Ood  !  At  nil  events,  ihr^ro  slinll  bo  fi  firo  in  the 
room."  I'hongh  the  firo  lelt  comfortable,  (for  it  was  tho 
first  we  bad  seen  for  two  months  cf  severe  cold  wealiier,)  it 
appeared  as  though  we  would  bo  onten  up  alive  t!int  night. — 
About  sunrise  wo  were  oi'dere  1  to  turn  out,  got  into  the 
sleighs  and  was  soon  on  our  way.  Travelled  that  day  about 
the  same  as  the  day  previous,  cold  and  htmgry.  Second 
night  no  lire,  nothing  to  eat  but  a  hard  buiscit  and  a  small 
slice  of  raw  pork;  ihird  night,  fare  about  the  sam.o,  excepting 
much  insult  and  abuse,  by  a  party  of  blnckc^unrds  telling  us 
at  intervals  through  the  night,  that  we  "would  nil  Ito  hung  in 
the  course  of  two  or  three  davs,  that  the  han'rinG:  had  com- 
menced,  they  had  seen  ten  of  the  rebels  hung  that  morning, 
and  was  going  to  London  to  see  us  hung.  Yoh  had  better  let 
me  have  your  money,  and  nil  your  things,  for  you  will  not 
want  them  much  longer,  them  boots,  tiiat  cap,  coat,  vest,  pan- 
taloons, <Scc.  &c." 

Now  render,  to  be  sure  some  of  us  had  b-^cn  more  fortunate 
than  others  in  retaining  a  part,  and  some  -all,  of  our  clothes, 
until  now,  and  was  not  willing,  although  litcraly  alive  with  ver- 
min, to  dispose  of  them,  unless  it  was  iov  new  or  clean  ones, 
for  nearly,  or  all  the  Queen's  volunteers  throught  the  Canadies 
were  lousy;  so  by  exchanging  clothes  with  them  would  not 
better  our  condition.  We  told  them,  therefore,  that  wo 
should  keep  the  ones  we  had  for  all  giving  to,  or  exchanging 
with,  a  setof  lous}"-  robbers  as  we  knew  them  to  be.  They 
were  on  the  point  of  compelling  us  to  submit,  as  they  were 
called  away  to  prv>ceed  in  search  of  some  rebels  who,  it  was 
said,  were  assembling  for  the  purpose  of  liberating  the  pris- 
oners; whether  this  was  the  fact,  I  do  not  know;  at  any  rate, 
our  chains  were  examined,  and  a  double  watch  placed  over 
us  from  that  time  until  our  arrival  at  London.  :  -  .?jo- 

'  On  our  arrival  at  this  place,  we  found  seventeen  or  eigh- 
teen that  were  at  the  crossing,  on  the  morning  of  the  4th 
December,  near  Windsor;  perhaps  some,  or  all,  had  been  in 
the  battle.  They  were  taken  prisoners,  some  twenty  or 
thirty  miles  from  Sandwich  up  the  St.  Clair  Rriver,  and 
were  taken  from  thence  direct  to  London,  C.  W.  A  Court 
Martial  was  now  in  session,  some  had  been  tried,  and  two 
under  sentence  of  death,  when  we  arrived.  -^^  ^J^^  ^' 


'■  1' 


I   I 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


u 


"Ob,  my 

ire  in  the     ii       ,/•  i 
;   was  tho 
■ilhor,)  it 
t  night. — 

into    the 

flay  about 

Second 

id  a  small 

excepting 

telling  us 
)0  hung  in 
;  had  com- 
t  morning, 
d  belter  let 
^u  will  not 
,  vest,  pan- 

■e  rorlunate 
Lir  clothes,       ;| 
;e  with  ver- 
^lean  ones, 
e  Canadies 
would  not 
that    wo 
X  changing 
e.      They 
they  wero 
lio,  it  was 
g  the  pvis- 
|t  any  rate, 
aced  over 


CHAPTER  III. 


,'ja  liOi 


The  Trial,  S^c.  [ 

I  have  not  room  to  detail  all  the  abominable  and  corrupt 
])roceedings  of  the  party  in  power  at  that  place.  I  will  here 
remark  that  their  whole  proceedings  respecting  our  trials  and 
alter  detention  as  prisoners,  were  all  illegal,  and  has  been 
pronounced  so  by  some  of  the  most  able  lords  in  England,  as 
well  as  many  in  Canada  and  Van  Dieman's  Land,  and  ought 
to  be  so  pronounced  by  all  good  citizens  of  the  United  States. 
Still  we  have  been  allowed  to  be  kidnapped  and  dragged 
through  Canada,  thence  across  the  ocean  to  a  Penal  colony, 
and  there  doomed  to  sufferings  unparalleled.  But  I  believe 
about  this  time,  Mr.  Van  Buren's  son  was  in  England,  and 
as  I  understood,  had  the  extreme  felicity  of  kissing  the 
Queen's  hand,  which  might  be  considered  by  some  as  an  off- 
set for  any  depradations  her  subjects  might  see  fit  to 
commit  upon  the  persons  or  property  of  citizens  belong- 
ing to  the  United  States.  But  to  proceed  ;  our  treatment  in 
London  was  similar  to  that  in  Maiden,  only  we  were  con- 
fined in  cells  ;  but  each  cell  was  crowded  lull.  We  were 
not  given  half  enough  to  eat,  and  that  of  the  most  filthy 
nature,  which  was  handed  to  us  through  the  diamond  hole. 
It  was  so  dark  ..s  to  be  almost  impossible  to  distinguish  what 
it  was,  but  we  could  discern  enough  to  know  that  it  was  not  fit 
for  hogs  to  eat.  We  had  no  bedding  allowed  us,  and  the 
tub,  for  our  use,  which  stood  in  the  corner,  often  remained  for 
two  or  three  days  before  we  could  prevail  on  the  turnkey 
(who  was  a  brute,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,)  to  cause  it  to 
be  emptied,  which,  with  close  conlinement,  made  our  impris- 
onment horrible  to  endure. 

Examinations  soon  commenced,  by  taking  us  one  at  a  time, 
before  two  men  selected  for  the  purpose,  when  wo  were  asked 
many  questions;  but  we  soon  discovered  that  their  object 
was  to  cause  us  to  criminate  ourselves,  at  the  same  time  tell* 
ing  us  we  need  not  fear,  for  what  we  acknowledged  to  them 
would  not  be  brought  up  against  us  at  our  trials.    Now  th* 


I,*: 


W:y\ 


■■!V 


\f\ 


i' 


'  *  I 


h 


f 


.  » 


!'t; 


4t 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


most  of  us  knew  too  well  their  object,  and  was  determined  to 
say  but  little.  They  commenced  with  me  in  this  manner  : 
"  Did  you  cross  over  on  a  steam  boat  on  the  morning  of  the 
4th  of  Dec,  with  nn  armed  force,  and  land  near  Windsor? 
Come,  tell  us  all,  wo  will  promise  it  shall  not  be  mentioned 
on  the  day  of  trial ;  we  are  friends  to  you  and  want  to  know 
all,  so  that  wc  can  assist  you  all  in  our  power,  at  your  trial  ?" 
After  waiting  a  little  ;  "Come,"  said  they,  "  go  on  ;  tell  us 
all  about  il :  tell  the  whole  story  ;  it  will  be  better  for  you." 
A  short  pause  ;  and  "  Come,  go  on  with  }our  siory."  '  Now 
I  was  not  in  a  very  good  iiumor,  Imowing  their  evil  desires. 
I  replied  to  all  their  questions,  that  I  had  nothing  to  say,  at 
present.  "  Did  you  not  cross  over  on  Lhat  boat,  with  an 
armed  force?  come,  goon  with  the  stcry ;  tell  us  all  about 
it,"  I  have  nothing  to  say,  at  present,  1  repeated.  "Take 
him  away,"  said  one,  "  and  bring  in  another :"  and  so  on, 
until  all  had  been  overhauled.  Some  acknowledged  more 
than  others,  and  every  word  was  recorded,  and  presented  on 
our  trial  ;  before  the  court  martial,  so  called.  O!  that  I  had 
room  to  go  through  v/ith  all  the  intrigue  and  deception  prac- 
ticed by  that  corrupt  court.  Every  imaginary  measure  was 
^^sorted  to  to  prevent  the  prisoners  from  having  a  fair  trial. 
About  this  time  we  were  moved  about  from  cell  to  cell, 
being  separated  as  often  as  possible  to  prevent  us  from  agree- 
ing too,  or  planning  any  means  of  defence.  We  were  not 
allowed  council,  except  of  their  own  choosing,  which  was  of 
their  own  kind,  and  with  them  in  league  to  |)lea£^e  their  be- 
loved Governor,  Sir  George  Arthur,  who  delighted  in  deeds 
of  blood,  and  who  caused  fifteen  hundred  human  beings  to  be 
extended  between  the  heavens  and  earth,  during  eleven  years 
of  tyranny  in  Van  Dieman's  Land  :  and  through  his  orders 
were  the  aborigines  of  tho  Island  hunted  down  and  cruelly 
murdered.  He  was  at  this  time  in  Canada,  and  had  com- 
menced the  same  slaughter  among  all  those  that  dared  to 
assert  their  rights  against  tyranny.  We  were  brought  before 
crouching  menials  p,nd  petty  office-seekers,  who /are  ever 
ready  to  stoop  to  any  act  to  obtain  their  ends,  even  to  delib- 
erately murdf  ring  better  men  than  they  ever  were.  And 
why  t  because  the  very  government  under  which  they  serve, 
sanctions  it,  and  have  to  resort  to  such  means  to  support 
monarchy,  and  awe  the  people  into  subjection.  You  have  onl/ 


:    1J 


Sixes; 

evidei 

but  th 

to  sus 

out  of 

three 

oners 

to  pro( 

of  us 

their  j 

it  grie 

from 

lives, 

to  kinc 

lasting 

than  b 

tho  mi 

gallowi 

60  that 

end    st 

against 

Benjan 

in  the  ^ 

so  that 

the  rof 

were  n( 

He  difec 

one,  an 

belie  ve( 

and  goc 

It  so 

tried.    ( 

any  of  i 


PATRIOT   EXILE.  if 

to  refer  to  the  past  history  of  England  to  know  the  fact.  I 
might  present  nifiny  proofs  on  this  subject,  but  1  slmll  leave 
it  tor  tho  present.  1  rnus:  observe,  iiowever,  that  I  believe 
there  are  a  great  many  good  men  liolding  olHce,  notwith- 
standing, 1  believe  tliere  is  great  need  of  reform  in  general; 
so  that  those  who  have  good  desires  may  have  a  chance  to 
manifest  them  for  the  good  of  the  people 

We  were  brought  before  the  court  in  twos,  threes  and 
sixes;  and  in  no  case,  less  than  two.  It  was  necessary  to  have 
evidence,  which  could  have  been  obtained  nmong  themselves; 
but  that  would  not  do,  as  it  would  give  the  j)cople  a  chance 
to  suspect  them  of  b-irolhccd  bribery.  They  must  h.ive  some 
out  of  our  party,  and  I  am  sorry  to  suy,  obtained  two  or 
three  by  threatening  to  hangtiieni  if  they  refused  ;  the  pris- 
oners not  being  awn  re  that  this  was  the  way  they  managed 
to  procure  witnesses  in  cases  of  emergency.  But  the  most 
of  ns  knew  ih;  ir  intentions  and  wai-ncd  others  to  be  on 
their  guard,  and  not  satisfy  them  in  that  respect.  Oh,  hovr 
it  grieved  us  to  behold  some,  at  the  prospect  of  death,  shrink 
from  di'.ty  and  c-nuse  others  lo  be  hung,  to  save  their  own 
lives,  after  havins;  faced  death  in  almost  every  form,  'i'hanks 
to  kind  iJeaven,  it  was  considered  by  most  of  us,  as  an  ever- 
lasting disgrace,  and  were  willing  to  die  ourselves,  rather 
than  be  the  cause  of  convicting  one  of  our  associates.  In 
the  midst  of  ihe  trials  executions  wer^  taking  place;  the 
gallows  was  erected  at  the  front  of  the  jail,  close  to  the  wall, 
60  that  the  doomed  ones  could  walk  out  at  a  door  in  the  sec- 
ond story  on  a  platform,  when  the  drop  was  cut  it  fell 
against  the  building,  and  was  audibly  heard  by  us  inside. — 
Benjamin  Lynn,  1  believe,  was  the  first;  he  had  been  wounded 
in  the  wrist,  and  having  no  care  taken,  mortification  ensued, 
80  that  he  was  not  expected  to  live  twenty- four  hours  when 
the  rope  was  put  round  his  neck  ;  but  the  bloood-hounds 
were  not  to  be  so  disappointed,  and  he  was  soon  despatched. 
He  difed  in  full  faith  tdat  the  cause  he  espoused  was  a  good 
one,  and  was  sorry  he  could  not  live  lo  see  Canada  free.  He 
believed  it  would  be  so  at  no  distant  day.  Lynn  was  a  brave 
and  good  man,  and  was  the  Adjutant  to  our  forces. 

It  so  happened  that  I  was  one  of  six  that  were  the  last 
tried.  George  Putnam,  the  witness,  was  asked  if  he  knew 
any  ot*  the  prisoners  at  the  bar  ;  when  looking  at  each  ont 


I  : 


'  mi 


•I  \ 


,  J 


-  u 


i 


in 
ft 

i 


ii  ii; 


;: 


r. 


r    . 


' 


Hi 


. 


1' 


i    i 


' 


'! 


;^ 


1 

f  i 


44 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


for  a  moment,  he  replied,  "Yes,  1  know  Mr.  Marsh."  He 
was  then  asked  if  he  knew  any  more  of  them  ;  to  which  he 
answered  "No.'*  VVell,  go  on  and  tell  iis  all  you  know 
about  Marsh.  Was  he  not  in  the  engagement  at  Wind- 
sor ?"  •'  He  was."  How  was  he  armed  ;  come,  go  on,  tell 
the  whole  story  ?  "He  was  armed  with  a  rifle,  brace  of 
pistols,  and  dirk."  Did  he  hold  a  commission  ?  "He  did." 
VVhat  was  it  ?  "A  Lieutenant's."  1  was  then  told  by  the 
Judge  if  I  wished  to  ask  the  wiiness  any  questions,  I  must 
address  myself  to  him  and  he  would  put  them  to  the  witness. 
Now  I  had  intended  to  say  sonaetlijng,  but  when  I 
saw  their  manner  of  proceeding,  and  the  lawyer  se- 
lected by  thcni  as  dumb  as  a  brute, — to  tell  you  the 
truth,  I  was  so  provoked  I  could  not  utter  a  word  ; 
besides  I  knew  it  was  of  no  use  for  me  to  attempt  to 
speak  at  any  length,  so  I  merely  remarked,  that  it  was 
useless  for  me,  or  any  of  the  prisoners  to  say  a  word, 
for  sentence  was  passed  before  wc  were  brought  into 
the  presence  of  the  court  :  it's  in  your  })ower  to  do 
with  us  as  you  please.  The  lawyer  then  wjspered  in 
mv  ear — "tell  them  vou  throw  yourself  on  the  mercv 
of  the  court."  There  is  no  mercy  here,  I  replied. — 
The  court  were  at  this  time  in  a  little  room  where  the 
grog  was  deposited,  which  room  they  visited  very  often, 
and  were  heard  to  laugh  and  talk  for  a  few  minutes, 
then  return  and  proceed  with  the  trials.  The  prison- 
ers were  obliged  to  stand  in  the  box  the  whole  time. 
We  had  suffered  much,  and  many  were  very  unwell ; 
one  man  fainted,  and  was  obliged  to  be  carried  out,  yet 
there  w^e  had  to  stand  during  the  whole  trial,  I  will 
briefly  remark  that  this  was  the  manner  of  procedure 
during  the  term  of  trials.  I  understood  at  the  time,  that 
Albert  Clarke  had  not  a  word  of  testimony  against  him, 
but  the  court  concluded,  as  he  was  a  good  looking  man, 
he  might  have  been  an  officer,  and  thought  it  best  to 
hang  him ;  accordingly  he  was  hung.  No  man  re- 
ceived a  sentence  at  the  bar ;  as  soon  as  tried,  each 
one  was  ordered  back  to  his  cell  without  knowing  what 
was  to  be  his  fate,  until  the  sherif  ckme  to  the  door, 


PATRIOT  SXtlJlt 


flailed  a  name,  and  read  the  warrant,  which  gave  some 
twelve,  and  some  twenty-four  hours,  to  prepare  for 
death. 

I  was  at  this  time  in  a  room  in  the  second  story,  with 
ten  others.  Amos  Pearly  had  just  been  notified  to 
prepare  for  death  the  following  day.  During  that  day 
we  discovered  Sweetman,  the  Queen's  witness,  in  the 
street,  opposite  the  jail  ;  for  there  were  two  windows 
in  that  room.  Pearly  remarked  that  he  wished  he  had 
his  rifle  ;  and  surely  it  was  hard  to  see  ai  man  at  liberty 
who  had  escaped  by  swearing  away  the  lives  of  his 
associates.  Pearly  was  about  to  sufl'er  death  on  his  tes- 
timony, and  there  was  no  chance  tor  redress.  Pearly 
had  a  cousin,  who  was  a  tory,  and  one  of  the  court- 
martial,  who  seemed  disposed  to  show  him  no  mercy. 
That  night  he  was  taken  out  of  our  room  and  put  into 
the  condemned  cell,  which  was  the  last  we  ever  saw  of 
him:  he  talked  to  us  on  the  subject,  before  leaving,  and 
said  he  meant  to  meet  his  death  like  a  man;  that  he  had 
committed  no  crime — said  much  of  the  cause  of  our 
failure,  and  believed  their  executions  would  have  a  ten- 
dency to  exasperate  the  people;  and  he  hoped,  if  he 
could  not  live  to  see  it,  that  Canada  might  yet  be  free  ; 
that  we,  also,  might  yet  be  set  at  liberty,  and  hoped,  if 
any  of  us  were  doomed  to  follow  him,  we  would  not 
shrink  from  duty,  but  with  our  last  breath,  declare  the 
cause  which  we  had  engaged  in,  to  be  just  and  holy; 
and  although  we  had  failed,  it  was  not  our  fault.  He 
talked  much  on  the  subject:  he  was  a  good  scholar,  and 
a  good  man. 

Joshua  G.  Doan,  Albert  Clarke,  Daniel  Bedford, 
Amos  Pearly,  Hiram  Lynn  and  Cornelius  Cuningham^ 
were  the  six  men  executed  at  this  place.  I  believe  that 
Arthur  had  signed  the  death  warranto  of  others,  but  all, 
at  once  there  appeared  something  which  convinced  him 
that  there  was  illegality  respecting  our  trials  ;  the  aef 
under  which  we  were  tried  had  previously  been  sent  to 
England  for  sanction,  but  was  condemned.  They  kMl 
4» 


46 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


.  i) 


,;  .1 


ii 


^fl; 


.ik 


commenced  hanging,  supposing  the  act  would  be  sanc- 
tioned by  the  home  government,  and  what  was  to  be 
done  ?  there  had  already  been  some  20  or  25  illegally 
executed.  Arthurs  blunders  must  be  plastered  over 
in  some  way,  as  similar  acts  of  Governors  in  Canada, 
as  well  as  otiier  of  her  Majesty's  colony's  had  been 
done  before.  1  know  that  among  many  people^  there 
are  many  minds,  but  it  was  and  still  is  my  opinion  that 
we  were  not  guilty  of  any  crime;  and  were  not  tried 
according  to  the  laws  of  any  nation,  and  sullered  the 
extreme  penalty — not  of  law,  but  of  power.  I  believe 
those  that  sulil-red  upon  the  gallows  were  murdered 
men,  and  those  that  were  sent  to  Van  Dieman's  could, 
if  they  had  friends  and  means,  bring  an  action  against 
the  English  government  for  lalse  imprisonment.  1  am 
not  alone  in  this  belief,  but  some  of  the  ablest  men  in 
England,  as  well  as  the  greatest  counsellor  in  Van 
Dieman's  Land  has  told  us  that  the  English  govern- 
ment expected  it  would  be  done  as  soon  as  we  were 
hberatcd.  They  laugh  in  their  sleeve  to  think  and 
know  that  they  have  so  long  detained  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States  illegally,  without  their  daring  to  resent  it. 
We  remained  in  London  about  three  months,  and  my 
treatment  had  been  so  severe, that  the  second  week  after 
my  arrival  at  that  place,  being  chilled  through,  and 
suHering  from  frozen  feet,  starvation,  galling  chains, 
vermin  and  filth,  that  I  had  a  fever  and  pain  in  my 
breast,  so  that  for  six  weeks  I  was  not  expected  to 
live.  There  were  a  number  alflicted  in  a  similar  man- 
ner. Dr.  Moore  seemed  willing  to  do  all  in  his  power 
for  us;  I  believe  he  was  a  reformer  at  heart,  and  wished 
to  be  so  by  practice.  Mr.  David  O.  Marsh,  who  was 
living  in  London,  heard  of  one  by  the  name  of  Marsh, 
that  was  a  prisoner,  and  very  sick;  he  called,  and  by 
much  persuasion  the  turnkey  consented  to  let  him  come 
to  the  door.  We  had  not  much  time  to  talk,  to  know 
whether  we  were  in  any  manner  connected,  and  he 
said  he  would  try  to  assist  me,  but  the  turnkey  was 


m 


say, 
lor 

got 


on. 


we  were 


FATRIOT   EXILE. 


47 


such  a  tyrant  he  did  not  know  as  he  could,  but  would 
try.  I  thanked  him,  and  he  went  away;  in  about  an 
iiour  nny  name  was  ealled  by  the  turnkey,  and  as  the 
door  opened.  Mr.  Marsh  ap))roacIied  with  a  blanket, 
which  he  gave  me,  and  also  a  bowl  of  porage,  which 
relished  very  well.  The  turnkey  remarked,  tliat  if  I 
was  not  sick,  this  would  not  be  allowed.  J  unrolled  the 
blanket,  and  found  about  3  lbs.  of  tobacco,  which  I 
thought  was  intended  for  all  in  the  room,  and  accord- 
ingly gave  it  out  to  those  that  used,  1  was  called  as 
often  as  once  a  day  till  1  got  butter.  The  turnkey  would 
say,  "here  is  a  buwl  of  gruel  iMrs.  Marsh  has  brought 
for  J  uu."  {She  sent  or  brought  Indian  meal  gruel  till  I 
got  so  that  1  could  eat  other  tood.  Their  kmdness  to 
me  at  that  time  will  not  be  forgotten. 

Some  may  say,  *'  Are  you  not  doing  wrong  in  men- 
tioning their  names  ]"'  Jt  1  was  not  confident  there  was 
no  danger,  be  assured  I  woukl  not  do  it.  I  was  given 
to  understand  that  he,  Mr.  Marsh,  had  spoken  to  the 
Doctor  respecting  my  need  of  something  of  the  kind, 
and  of  course,  the  jailor  could  not  refuse;  so  no  thanks 
to  the  turnkey,  who  was  daily  in  the  habit  of  purloin- 
ing things  that  were  sent  to  the  prisoners.  We  found 
out  we  had  a  great  many  iViends  in  and  about  London, 
who  brought  in  a  jireat  manv  things,  and  which  he 
promised  the  donors  he  would  deliver  to  us,  but  we 
did  not  receive  half.  He  would  not  let  any  one  come 
to  see  us,  but  said  he  would  hand  it  in.  After  we  had 
found  han  out  and  accused  him  of  it,  he  would  abuse 
us  and  treat  us  like  so  many  dogs,  and  a  great  deal 
worse  than  they  treat  their  dogs. 

Elijah  C.  Woodman,  whose  family  was  living  in  the 
place,  was  with  us,  and  in  the  room  v^^ith  me.  He  told 
me  a  circumstance  that  occurred  the  vear  before,  when 
the  reformers  were  hunted  down  and  thrown  into  pris-i 
on,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Marsh  and  himself,  and 
were  imprisoned  in  that  jail.  It  v/as  crowded 
to  its  fullest  extent  during  the  first  year  of  the  out- 


I! 


.r 


VI 


:  '• 


li,,  «■■ 


h  ii 


m 


'■';  !■ 


:;ir: 


I 


I'i 


i;. 


•r 

t 

I 


:  1  i 


I  ' 


; 


I 


•I  I 


48 


NARRATIva  Of  A 


break,  Hkewise  all  the  jails  in  the  province.  He  said 
Mr.  Marsh  had  been  put  in  for  a  witness  against  some 
of  the  reformers.  His  wife  came  as  often  as  possible 
to  bring  him  whatever  she  might  be  allowed  to.  Says 
she,  **  don't  you  swear  against  the  reformers,  not  in 
any  case;  do  you  stay  in  jail  till  you  rot,  first;  I  will 
manage  to  got  you  something  to  eat,  and  if  I  don't,  do 
you  die  before  you  swear  against  your  friends."  He 
did  not,  and  after  keeping  him  a  long  time,  they  were 
satisfied  it  was  no  use  to  keep  him  longer,  so  liberated 
him.  A  number  in  the  room  said,  '*  Well,  I  don't 
know  wiiat  others  may  think,  but  I  think  that  is  just 
such  a  wife  as  I  should  like."  I  remarked  to  Mr. 
Woodman,  that  I  thought  he  was  blest  with  a, wife  of 
the  same  stamp,  for  she  came  to  the  room  soon  after  we 
arrived  there  and  told  him  not  to  swear  against  any  of 
his  comrades  on  any  account,  **Ycs  says  Woodman, 
my  wife  is  a  regular  down  easter,  a  yankee.  I  might 
say  a  great  deal  respecting  our  stay  at  this  place,  but  as 
it  might  not  be  inten^sting  to  many,  I  shall  pass  on. 

After  Iho  execution  of  those  belbre  mentioned,  and  the 
liberation,  of  somq  of  the  younger  ones,  there  was  a  compa- 
ny of  us,  eighteen  in  number,  started  for  Toronto,  in  waggons, 
on  the  first  day  of  April,  1839.  We  were  near  a  week  on 
our  journey,  treatment  as  usual.  You  must  know  our  sufler- 
ings  were  not  light;  some  of  us  quite  unwell,  and  with  our 
frozen  feet  and  galled  ancles,  climbing  back  and  forth  in  the 
waggons,  chained,  or  rather,  lastened  with  clevis  and  pin, 
which  held  us  still  closer  together,  for  we  were  fnstened  by 
pairs,  however,  we  were  glad  to  leave  London,  where  we  had 
seen  so  much  inhuman  treatment.  We  were  still  more  re- 
joiced, if  possible,  on  leaving  the  waggons;  not,  however,  for 
a  better  place,  but  one,  if  possible,  worse  than  the  place  we 
had  left.  Now  some  might  say,  if  I  had  been  one,  in  trav- 
eling from  London  to  Toronto,  I  would  have  made  my  es- 
cape. But  if  it  could  be  possible  for  you  to  know  our  condi* 
tion,  you  would  not  think  it  in  our  power.  It  was  now  warm 
weather,  and  our  treatment  had  been  so  bad,  the  vermin  in- 
creasing at  the  approach  of  mild  weather^  and  many,  or  all^ 


"  ^'•ftl^aESESfcWfc 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


40 


in  poor  health,  and  very  much  reduced,  it  was  as  much  as  wo 
could  do  to  get  in  and  out  of  the  waggons,  especially,  alter 
setting  all  day,  for  wo  were  not  allowed  to  got  out  but  once 
during  the  day,  and  at  night  to  lay  down  on  the  floor  with- 
out any  bedding,  in  the  morning  eating  a  little,  start  ofl*,  and 
a  bit  of  hard  bread  thrown  in  to  each  waggon  for  us  throtigh 
the  day.  Finally,  taking  all  things  into  consideration,  my 
opinion  is,  you  could  not  Ijave  made  great  progress  in  oscape- 
ing.  On  our  arrival  at  Toronto,  we  were  put  into  the  jail,  in 
a  hall  that  was  occupied  during  the  day  by  thirty  or  forty, 
and  at  night  all  locked  in  dillcrent  cells — from  five  to 
eight  in  a  cell.  Tiio  jail  was  crowded  full:  sonr»e  crazy, 
some  for  murder,  some  for  stealing,  some  for  desertion,  and 
various  other  crimes.  Tiiis  old  jail,  as  well  as  all  otiiers, 
was  alive  with  vermin.  It  is  out  of  my  power  to  describe  this 
place,  and  our  leeiings  at  our  entrance,  and  during  seven 
weeks  confinement  in  this  horrible  i)lace.  Our  rations  were 
hardly  sufficient  to  keep  us  alive,  what  there  was,  was  more 
fillhy,  if  possible,  than  any  before.  Bullock's  heads,  boiled 
with  a  very  i'ew  peas,  that  the  rats  had  been  among,  and  I  de- 
clare it  was  impossible  to  tell,  many  times,  of  what  our  scan- 
ty meal  consisted,  it  aj)peared  to  be  their  intention  to  poison 
us  here.  The  bullock's  heads  were  boiled  with  brains,  teeth, 
and  often  the  hair  was  so  thick  in  the  broth,  together  with  the 
etfecls  of  rats  and  mice,  that  we  could  not  stomach  it,  we 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  our  days  would  be  ended  here. 
Many  of  us  lived  on  three  quarters  of  a  j)ound  of  bread  per 
day,  during  our  stay  there.  I  must  here  mention,  that  after 
we  had  been  two  weeks  in  this  place,  a  gentleman  by  the 
name  of  Richardson,  a  Methodist  Minister,  residing  in  the 
city,  visited  us,  he  said  he  had  heard  of  our  condition,  fearing 
we  could  not  long  survive  under  such  treatment,  had  brought 
with  him  what  we  most  needed,  excepting  liberty,  which  was 
a  large  basket  of  provisions,  he  said  he  had  tried  to  see  us  be- 
fore, but  was  not  allowed  till  then,  and  expected  that  would  be 
the  last.  He  sloped  a  l"ew  moments,  and  comforted  us  in  our 
affliction,  by  telling  us  he  could  not  say  fisr  certain,  but  he  be- 
lieved it  was  their  intention  to  liberate  us  in  a  short  time. 
This  kind  act  was  received  with  greatful  hearts,  was  often 
spoken  of,  and  I  believe  will  not  be  easily  forgotten  by  any 


U 


t  ■ 

r 


f 


< 


!)     » 


S 


I 


iir 


IJ 


50 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


tt 


U( 


of  US.     Tlicro  vvcro  sonrio  others  who  visited  us,  but  very  few 
with  iho  sanio  feelings  of  Mr.  II.       • 

My  iTiulhcr  called  on  a  Col.  I'oolh,  ct  Lundy's  Lane,  lo 
enquire  if  ho  couk)  give  her  nny  inlbrni.ition  resj)ccting  the 
removal  of  tho  prisoners  from  London  to  Toronto.  *'VV  hy," 
said  he,  ''what  do  you  want  to  Ivnow  nhout  Ihwn?  luivo  you 
any  friends  amongst  thoni  ?"  '"Yes,  I  have  a  son  a  prisoner 
ihcre."  The  brute  replied,  "(lod  Damn  him,  W'  "11  hnng  him, 

the  d d  rebel,  we'll  hnng  him,"  a',  iho  Mamo  time  calling  a 

guard  and  threatening  to  put  her  in  the  uatch-hourso.  Iloap- 
peared  in  a  great  rage  and  observed,  "who  knows  but  what 
she  lias  s,omo  sharp  instrumr^nt  about  her."  1  suppose  the  no- 
ble Col.  had  been  taking  a  little  tomuo!),  I  hope  lie  will  nev- 
er  come  in  my  way.  l)y  the  kind  inierfercnco  of  some 
friends  she  esca;.ed  the  watch-house,  and  loarned  ofsomo  ono 
more  disponed  to  givo  her  information,  that  v/hicli  convrnced 
her  of  my  being  at  ToroiUo.  She  immediately  sot  out  upon 
the  journey,  which  was  some  fifty  miles.  »Sho  came  into  the 
jail  and  enquired  if  I  was  there,  and  if  she  coulfl  have  the 
privilege  of  seeing  mo.  ,  Tlio  turnkey  replied  that  1  was 
there,  but  that  he  had  orders  not  to  lot  any  one  in  to  see  tho 
prisoners,  however,  ho  would  seo  Mr.  Kidd,  the  jailor.  Mr. 
Kidd  consented  to  let  me  come  down  and  sec  her  a  few  min- 
utes, wo  were  up  stairs  at  tho  time.  Tho  turnkey  came  up 
and  told  mc  that  my  mother  was  below,  waiting  to  sea  me. 
Now,  reader,  I  was  glad  and  I  was  sorry,  to  appear  as  I  was, 
dirty  and  lousy,  and  looking  very  poor,  for  1  had  been  sick, 
and  I  knew  it  would  make  her  feel  bad,  to  see  me  looking  so. 
I  arranged  my  apnarel  as  well  as  I  could,  and  went  down, 
you  may  judge  of  our  meeting,  for  I  cannot  explain  it.  I 
had  to  equivocate  a  little,  in  answer  to  some  questions  she 
asked  me,  to  spare  a  mother's  feelings.  I  appeared  as  con- 
tented as  possible.  She  said  she  had  heard  we  were  lousy 
and  loaded  with  chains,  with  frozen  feet  &c.  &c.  O,  says 
I,  we  stand  i^  very  well,  I  think  we  shall  all  soon  be  libera- 
ted, then  I  will  tell  you  nil  about  it.  She  hod  brought  me 
some  clothes,  but  I  told  her  1  would  not  take  then),  thev  would 
be  ruined,  and  I  should  be  out  soon.  We  had  made  prepar- 
ations to  break  jail,  but  were  removed  sooner  than  was  ex- 
pected.    Wo  could  not  talk  much,  Mr.  Kidd  being  present. 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


51 


She  asked  lilm  if  sho  would  bo  allowed  lo  let  mo  kavo  some 
verv  few  W  irioncy,  ho  rrpliod  '*ycs,  but  there  is  not  much  c.hanco  of 
using  it."  I  would  not  tnl;o  but  n  dollar,  thinking  it  would 
ho  nil  1  should  nocd,  for  I  did  not  think  of  stopping  there  a 
long  timo.  Sho  went  nwny  and  returned  the  next  dny,  sho 
told  me  she  hr  d  l)ccn  to  see  Governor  Arthur,  I  told  her  I  was 
fiorry,  for  I  l:nd  intended  not  to  ask  any  favours  of  tho  old 
tyrant — wo  had  Jill  conio  lo  that  conc'usion.  Jiount  and 
Mathews  were  hung  at  tiiat  place,  and  uhilc  their  wives  were 
humbly  pleaijing  for  their  dead  bodies,  were  spurned  from  his 
presence,  VVo  knew  it  was  useless  lo  nppcal  to  him.  1  told 
her  if  I  had  known  that  sho  was  a  goin,'^-  to  sro  him,  I  should 
have  strongly  objected  to  it,  yet  I  could  not  blamo  her,  know- 
ing th'it  sho  wirsh.ed  to  do  all  that  was  in  her  j)ower.  Tho  old 
reprobate  lied  to  her,  ho  told  her  that  wo  would  all  be  liber- 
ated in  a  few  day?:,  when  at  the  same  timo  ho  knew  better,  he 
came  in  to  see  us,  but  soon  di-covcred  that  wo  wero  men 
diflercnt  from  ihoso  ho  had  been  in  the  babit  of  dealing  with, 
no  doubt  he  supposed  wo  would  get  down  on  our  knees  to  him 
and  beg  for  mercy,  but  instead  of  that,  not  a  man  saluted  hirri 
by  taking  olTtho  hat,  which  was  customary  in  our  situation, 
until  requested  by  tho  jailor.  lie  waited  some  time  expect- 
ing that  in  acc;;rdar.cc  with  permission  given,  some  one  would 
ask  of  him  some  boon,  wliicli  wo  knew  ho  stood  ready  to  deny, 
but  he  had  not  tlio  c'lanco.  lie  told  us  wc  liad  got  into  a  bad 
scrape,  and  must  expect  to  be  punlsh-jd.  Wc  told  him  we  did 
not  consider  the  cause  we  had  embraced  a  bad  one,  and  be- 
lieved we  had  been  ))unished  sufficiently,  as  ho  must  know  the 
cause  which  induced  us  to  take  up  arms.  "Rebellion  is  a 
great  crime,  and  you  ought  io  bo  severely  punished,"  said  he. 
Your  excellency  will  pleaso  consider  tho  cause  which  led  to 
rebellion,  and  you  certainly  cannot  onsidcr  it  a  very  great 
crime.  Nothing  further  was  said,  and  ho  withdrew,  when  a 
man  that  was  in  an  adjoining  room,  who  had  heard  all,  re- 
marked, well,  I  guess  he  didn't  make  much  out  of  you  chaps 
this  time. 

Sir  John  Colborn,  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head  and  Sir  George 
Arthur,  were  all  three  tyrants  an^  cowards,  and  backed  by 
the  same  in  England  and  Canada.  It  was  by  tho  acts  of  such 
characters  as  these,  that  tho  Canadies  were  well  nigh  ruin^ 
If  I  had  room  I  would  give  you  a  description  of  the  oha^ao 


{., 


i>% 


t  »r. 


"rf-f- 


:ffj^' 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


U 


:|p 


ter  and  conduct  of  these,  and  similar  characters,  which  have 
been  the  sole  cause  of  the  rebellion  in  Canada. 

Just  imagine  what  the  acts  of  a  tyranical,  covetous,  blood- 
thirsty, cowardly,  selfish,  overbearing,  crouching,  menial  of- 
fice seeker,  supporter  of  monarchy  would  be,  and  you  can 
formsomeideaof  the  acts  which  led  to  rebellion,  for  you  have 
the  characters  of  the  men  that  have  govorned  in  the  Canadies, 
I  may  say,  ever  since  they  have  been  subject  to  the  crown  of 
great  Britain.  I  will  refei-  you  to  Gen.  McLeods  history  of 
these  men's  proceedings,  likewise  Mr.  Waits,  Dr.  Theller, 
L.  Miller,  and  some  others,  as  I  have  not  room  in  this  work, 
to  do  them  justice.     1  must  proceed. 

Whilst  we  were  confined  in  this  place,  and  likewise  in  all 
others,  we  were  not  allowed  to  write,  except  our  letters  were 
first  read  by  the  authorities,  and  if  there  was  any  thing  in  them 
that  did  not  suit  them,  they  were  destroyed.  Consequently, 
when  we  did  write,  were  obliged  to  write  lies  to  our  friends,rep- 
resenling  our  situation  dillerent  from  what  it  was,  and  often 
flattering  those  in  power.  Under  those  circumstances,  we 
wrote  but  little,  and  our  friends  could  not  be  fully  apprised  of 
our  situation. 

Mr.  Charles  Fell,  of  Chipaway,  will  please  excuse  me,  for 
taking  the  liberty  in  this,  of  thanking  him,  for  his  friendly 
visit  to  me,  in  this  place,  ("a  friend  in  need,  is  a  friend  in 
deed.")  Whilst  we  were  there,  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Perry,  a  Catholic,  from  Ireland,  who  had  been  confined  for 
some  time,  was  let  out  about  noon,  he  returned  in  about  two 
hoi^rs,  with  his  hands  and  clothes  covered  with  blood.  As  he 
was  shoved  into  the  hall  amongst  us.  "Well,"  said  he  "I've 
done  it."  Done  what?  says  two  or  three  at  the  same  time. 
'*I  have  killed  her,"  said  he.  It  appeared  that  his  wife  had 
been  the  means  of  his  previous  confinement,  as  there  had  been 
gome  difficulty  betwen  them,  with  regard  to  some  property. 
On  being  let  out,  he  went  directly  home,  seized  the  axe,  and 
killed  her  on  the  spot.  He  appeared  to  be  deranged,  and  was 
to  be  executed  the  day  after  we  left.  This  is  a  sample  of 
the  men  we  were  confined  with,  in  Toronto,  during  seven 
weeks. 

About  the  first  of  June,  the  SherifiT  came  to  the  door  with 
a  list  in  his  hand,  and  commenced  in  this  manner.  "John 
B.   Tyrrell,  John  Sprague,  John  Williams,  John  Simons, 


i^^^Siix. 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


58 


James  M.  Aichcnson,  James  P.  Williams,  James  D.  Fero, 
Alvin  B.  Sweet,   Elijah   C.  Woodman,  Henry  V.  Barniim, 
Chauncoy  Sheldon,  Robert  Marsli,  Samuel  Snow,  lilzur  Ste- 
vens, Simeon  Goodrich,  MiclmelJVIurrav,  William  Nottage, 
Riley  M.  Stewart  and  Hoi'rac6  Cooley,"  added  to  our  num- 
ber at  Toronto,  all  of  us  answering  to  our  names  as  they  were 
called.     Says  he  "prqiare  for  a  move."     In  less  than  ten 
minutes   a  black  smith  was  amongst  us,  and  we  were  soon 
ushered  forth;  not  as  a  wonder  to  the  people  of  Canada,  (for 
there  had  been  so  much  wearing  of  the  Queen's  Jewels,  in 
the  Province,  for  the  last  two  or  three  years,  that  it  had  he-  . 
come  no  wonder,)  but  to  take  up  our  line  of  march,  accom-  ; 
panied  by  a  strong  guard,  to  a  Steam  Boat  declc,  amongst  , 
cattle  and  hogs,  during  our  passage  to  Kingston.     As  bad  as  , 
it  was,  we  were  glad  of  the  change.     Now  some  amongst  us, 
were  strongly  of  the  opinion  that  when  we  left  that  place,  it 
would  be  to,  return  home,  consequently,  we  were  not  all^fi"  a 
mind  respecting  a  trial  to  (escape  from  Toronto  jail,  if  caught 
in  the  act  it  would  have  a  tendency  to  prolong  our  confine- 
ment, however,  some  were  determined  to  try  it,  and  would  : 
liave  made  tlx3  attempt,  but  were  called  away  just  in  time  to 
prevent  it.     The  jail  was  guai*ded  out  side,  day  and  night. 
We  had  been  waiting  for  some  dark  and  cloudy  night,  whioh 
might  assist  us  in  the  undertaking.  ,^^ 

I  wish  the  reader  to  bear  in  mind,  that  we  had  been  tried, 
illegally,  which,  no  doubt,  was  the  reason  we  had  notreceiv-  , 
ed  a  sentence.     On  our  arrival  at  fort  Henry,  we  were  put  [ 
into  different  rooms,  where  were  sixty-four  confined,  that  had  , 
been  taken  prisoners  on  the  16th  of  November,  1838,  near 
Prescott,  who  00  pressing  had  taken  possession  of  a  windmill, 
Gen.  Van  Schoultz  at  the  head.     Tho  same  mismanagement 
prevailed  here  as  elsewhere.  „^f  ^.j,,  j^.^.,,  ,,,^  .,^,,^^^^^1  .j|.,,;jj.^jj 

iinihjntn- )  !f'^.ni3   QtU  U^o  *>->Jijj8  IrjJia'j-*  w^^dmmjA  r.dT 

■''>b  rioirly/  i\\  ",!uwi:  ii'izM**  'mMmr<'.  liK^ii-iif  mU  vd  h^toma 

■jmyAiotk  oUn  hiw  hrAfunn  vu'  uMUi  ;>iqv/  vni^irj  on'j/io  no 

If/it  odJ  at  iisoih  ')il:  [fwii  ir)f?(>r.,ifj^9i{j'nu  "(liuUmd  m  hi>b3:>:> 

'itoo  mii  niJL'd  ,l\'iuwiivf/  oilMu  iiam  ioi\'io  •>jii.'»  jaihriol fefl 


^■.\ 


•  i  r%,  . ' 


m- 


^ 


fc: 


i  I 


54 


I-  ^' 


'•    II 


Ji' 


!i 


NAKttATlVK  or  A 


.1 


I  ; 


a 


CHAPTER  IV. 


I . 


•-!•        Battle  of PrescoU.  •        ^  ^    /.^'   i^ 

'•■;      '>';■'''      "      '        ,.w    ':,j;     i.  *       ;  /■    i:  :,     From  Miller's  work. 

"Early  in  November,  1838,  the  movements  of  the  Patriots 
on  our  northern  tVontier,  indicated  that  renewed  attempts  were 
about  being  made  for  unfurling  the  standard  of  Liberty,  in 
Upper  Canada.  The  zealous  watchfulness  of  the  If.  States 
authorities,  and  the  indecision,  mismanagement  and,  possibly, 
want  of  energetic  courage  in  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  par- 
ty, divided,  and  finally  withheld  the  main  body  of  the  inva- 
ders;  but  there  were  a  few  choice  spirits  who,  shrinking  from 
no  (Miiger,  and  confidently  relying  upon  the  pledged  faith  of 
their  compatriots,  rushed  boldly  forward  to  pave  the  way  for 
others.  Their  lender,  Col.  S.  Von  Schoultz,  (a  Pole,  of  no- 
ble extraction,  who  hadYought  the  battles  of  his  own  op- 
pressed country,  and  afterwards  sought  a  refuge  on  our  shores) 
was  in  every  respect  worthy  to  act  in  that  capacity. 

With  orders  to  storm  Fort  Wellington  and  unfurl  his  ban- 
ner upon  its  walls,  (a  preconcerted  signal  for  the  Canadians 
to  join  them,)  he  found  himself  opposite  Prescoiton  the  mor- 
ning of  the  11th,  with  two  schooners,  containing  about  200 
raen,  arms  ammunition,  artillery,  provisions,  &c.;  but  un- 
happily, in  an  attempt  to  eiiect  a  landing  at  the  wharf,  both 
vessels  ran  aground,  where  one  remained  several  hourly  while 
the  other  eot  clear,  but  was  only  able  to  make  the  Canada 
shore  at  Windmill  Point,  a  mile  below  the  Fprt.  Here  Von 
Schoultz  landed  his  men,  and  took  possession  of  a  stone  mill, 
and  three  out-buildings. 

The  steamboat  "tFnited  States,"  and  the  small  Canadian 
steam  ferryboat  were  taken  possession  of  by  the  Patriots,  at 
Ogdensburgh,  and  after  several  attempts,  in  which  they  were 
opposed  by  the  British  steamer  "Experiment,"  in  which  elev- 
en of  the  enemy  were  killed  by  musket  and  rifle  shots,  suc- 
ceeded in  hauling  off  the  schooner  from  the  shoal  in  the  river, 
and  landfttg  some  of  her  men  at  the  windmill,  but  in  the  con- 
fusion and  mismanagement  attendant  upon  the  oppositions  of 


FATftlOT  -KXII.E. 


tho  enemy,  loft  with  nearly  all  tlie  munitions  of  war  so  much 
needed  by  Von  Schoultz  and  his  party. 

In  the  evening,  Col.  Worth,  of  the  United  States  army, 
arrived  at  Ogdensburg,  with  a  detachment  of  troops,  and  a 
United  States  Marshal,  and  took  possession  of  the  steam- 
boats, schooners,  &c.,  thus  cutting  off  further  supplies  of  men, 
arms,  &c.,  from  tho  Patriots  at  the  Windmill,  who  busied 
themselves  during  the  night  in  strengthening  their  position, 
having  been  repeat^ly  promised  large  reinforcements  from 
the  American  shore  since  their  landing.  Alas!  they  were 
cruelly  deceived. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  an  attempt  was  made  by  the 
enemy  to  dislodge  them.  Three  armed  steamboats  dropped 
down  the  river  from  Prescott,  anchored  opposite  tho  mill,  and 
commenced  throwing  balls  and  bumb-shell.'-;  at  the  same  time 
the  8*)d  regiment,  supported  by  about  1200  provincial  sol- 
diers, made  their  appearance  in  the  open  field  in  front,  the 
latter  forming  the  right  and  left  wings.  The  Patriots  now 
marched  out  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  entrenching  them- 
selves behind  stone  walls,  ditches,  &c.  The  enemy  advan- 
ced to  within  about  one  hundred  yards,  and  opened  their  fire, 
^rhich  was  immediately  returned  with  great  spirit  and  effect. 
1  he  provincial  troops  were  the  first  to  retreat,  leaving  the 
d3d  unsupported,  and  they  too,  after  fighting  bravely  until  lit- 
erally cut  to  pieces,  retreated.  Thus,  altera  desperate  en- 
gagement which  lasted  upwards  of  three  hours,  this  little 
handful  of  Patriots  were  left  in  undisputed  possession  of  the 
field  of  battle,  having  fairly  beaten  more  than  eight  times 
their  number  of  the  enemy.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  woun- 
ded was  about  thirty,  while  that  of  the  enemy  is  said  to  have 
been  nearly  three  hundred.  The  annals  of  history  record 
but  few  victories  achieved  against  such  fearful  odds,  and  prob- 
ably there  never  was  a  braver  band  of  men  engaged  in  deadly 
combat  with  British  forces.  During  the  engagement,  tho 
American  shore  was  thronged  by  thousands  of  spectators, 
who  constantly  cheered  the  Patriots,  but  that  was  all!  No 
efforts  were  then  or  afterwards  made  to  reinforce  or  bring 
them  away. 

On  the  14th,  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  by  the  British,  asking 
permission  of  the  Patriots  (who  occtipied  the  mill  and  stone 
buildings)  to  bury  their  dead,  which  was  granted.     On  the 


i  %■: 


i  i 


t 


iil 


^M 


q.  • 


'to 


NAtlRATIVE  OP  A 


; 


i'  I 


I   ' 


I5tli,  tlib  enemy  wore  grently  reinforced,  and  nil  chnnce,  ei- 
ther of  escape  or  final  success,  cut  off.  On  the  16th,  the  Pat- 
riots .sent  out  a  flag  of  truce,  the  bearers  of  which  were  fired 
upon  as  soon  as  they  made  their  appearance  in  the  field.  A 
white  flag  was  at  the  same  tinie  displayed  from  the  summit  of 
the  mill,  but  without  being  regarded.  A  little  before  sunset. 
Col.  Dundas  sent  a  flag  summoning  the  party  to  surrender  at 
his  discretion,  which  was  done.  Thus  ended  this  unequal 
and  sanguinary  contest?  The  loss  of  the  vanquished  party 
in  killed  and  wounded,  was  said  to  have  been  less  than  fifty, 
while  that  of  tljo  victors  was  nearly  six  hundred. 

Of  the  captured  Patriots,  their  bravo  and  noble  leader,  Von 
Schoultz,*  Col.  Abbey,  Col.  Woodruff,f  Daniel  George  and 
7  others,  were  executed;  several  of  the  youngest  pardoned, 
and  the  remainder  sent  to  Van  Dieman's  Land." 

The  men  here  were  astonished  at  our  appearance.  They 
would  not  have  believed  that  our  treatment  had  been  as  bad 
as  we  represented,  if  they  had  not  have  seen  us  on  our  en- 
trance at  that  place;  we  were  so  poor,  ragged,  dirty  and  lou- 
sy, and  after  beholding  the  galled  ancles  and  wrists,  and  hear- 
ing us  all  tell  one  story,  thoy  were  all  astonishcr^  at  the  cru- 
el aiid  inhuman  treatment  that  wo  had  received.  They  said 
they  had  fared  sumptously  compared  with  us;  they  had  during 
the  v/iiiter,  stoves  and  j.len'y  of  wood;  their  rations  were 
much  better  than  any  we  had  seen  during  our  confinement; 
they    had  received  considerable   money  from  their  friends, 


**-!; 


r 


■\^ 


*VQn  Sclioultz  was  a  T'olish  exile,  and  at  the  time  ofliis  dcatiiwas  thirty-oiio 
years  of  a^^e.  nelia(l!diHtiii<,'.nislied  Iiiinself,  in  1830,  in  fialitliig  against  Russia,  and 
in  defence  of  his  own  unfortunate  and  down-trudden  country;  uod  was  beloved  by 
ail  who  knew  him.        vti*.-f«^    «.rr  '     r  ,..!.        «   ^^^^. 


(•f  1•■^^f    fiiEi^»#< 


tCol  Martin  VVoodrufT  w.la  deptrty  PhcrlfT  of  Onondaga  county.  N.  Y.  The 
v.'tragedy  of  his  execution  iii  tiius  de.sccibed  by  the  editor  ol  tlio  Kingston  s'j.cctator; 
•  '"This  gallant  soldier  was  brought  from  Fort  ilcury  upon  a  carter's  rougli  train,  at- 
tended by  two  priests,  escorted  by  a  paity  of  volunteer  cavalry  to  the  Jail,  anil 
Koon  after  to  the  door  leiiding  to  the  scallbid,  when  tlmsherilf  read  Arthur's  war- 
rant to  execute  liini.  lie  was  then  placed  on  the  platform,  the  cap  ptdied  over  iiii 
fiicc.  and  the  hangman  placed  tlic  rope  to  a  hook  in  the  beam  over  his  head.    'J'he 

Itiatform  fell,  and  presented  a  revolting,  disgusting  and  disgraceful  scene.  Thu 
:i)ot  instead  of  drawing  tight  under  liis  ear.  waa  brought  to  the  chin;  it  did  n«  t 
ulip,  but  leltsspace  ciu)ugh  to  put  a  iiand  within;  tlie  cliief  weight  oftlic  body  bear- 
ing uixui  the  ropi- at  the  back  of  the  neck.  The  body  was  in.  great  agitation  ami 
Beeniedlo  suffer  greatly.  The  spectators  said  it  wa3  a  EhauefUl  management, 
when  two  hanguKU  oaiuc  out,  c.udeavored  lo,.'-|lran,:ile. ti>e  aui^rer,  and  not  havin;; 
Hticcreded,  they  returned  again  to  (hcrr  disgrffrting  work.  Flisneckwfts  nothro- 
keu  till  theliangiuau  on  tJio  crosd  tree  UuU  pt^lled  huu  u^  i»y  the  collar,  aud  la  Jiiii 
fall  four  tiujcs  in  succession."  '  •  •• 


-  mm  I  ■  ^  -jft;  -  - ;- 


Z:i!ti 


PATAIOT  KXtLE. 


ht 


which  enabled  them  to  purchnse  from  the  canteen  whicli  wa^ 
kept  inside  the  fort,  such  things  as  made  them  quite  comfort* 
able  to  what  we  hiid  been»  However,  the  long  confinement 
in  one  place,  and  their  anxiety  to  get  their  liberty  to  return 
to  their  homes  were  weighing  heavily  upon  them,  Wo  had 
all  endeavored  to  bear  up  and  be  as  cheerful  as  possible. — 
We  soon  exchanged  a  part  of  our  clothing,  or  rather  threw 
them  oside  after  being  supplied  with  clean  linen,  &c.,  by 
those  warm  hearted  friends  in  distress.  We  were  soon  ac- 
quainted, and  we  found  them  to  be  mostly  men  of  good  char- 
acters and  principles.  It  was  lucky  for.  them  that  they  were 
kept  in  fort  Henry,  and  allowed  to  be  visited  by  their  friends, 
and  could  receive  many  indulgencies  which  we  had  been 
strangers  to.  I  mention  this,  not  because  I  think  their  pun> 
ishment  has  been  to  light;  by  no  means,  for  their  punishment 
has  been  severe,  considering  they  ha(^i:;om milted  no  crime; 
but  to  show  you  that  men  taken  for  tho  same  crime,  (so  called) 
but  at  different  places,  the  difierent  treatment  they  receive. 
One  man,  giving  an  acpount  of  thesaffeiMngs  of  the  prisoners 
in  Canada  as  well  as  at  Van  Diemens  lanil, ,  may  vary,  frgm 
the  account  of  another,  though  a  fellow  prisonei*  with  him, 
because  you  perceive  the  treatment  can  be  different,  even  in 
the  same  room;  but  my  object  will  be,  and  I  believe  has  been, 
so  far,  to  give  you  a  general  history,  (not  of  my  own)  but  of 
our  sufferings,  for  I  have  not  been  alone  in  persecution. 
..  Wo  remained  in  this  strong  fort  about  throe  months,  cer- 
tainly expecting  when  we  left,  it  would  be  to  return  to  our 
homes,  but  you  will  perceive  we  were  doomed  to  sufferings 
of  a  little  different  character,  but  in  many  respects  more  se- 
vere than  many  of  us  had  before  experienced.  Soon  after  we 
were  ordered  to  prepare  for  a  move.  We  wero  all  intro- 
puced  to  a  new  set  of  jewels,  two  and  two.  Presently  wo  dis- 
covered through  the  windows  a  strong  guard  which  reached 
from  our  door  to  the  outer  door  or  gate  which  led  to  tho 
street,  a(\er  our  irons  were  on,  (for  we  had  worn  none  during 
our  confinement  here^  there  were  8  or  4  very  good  singers 
amongst  us  which  made  the  fort  ring  with  the  "American 
Star,"  ^^Hunters  of  Kentucky,"  and  other  similar  songs,  which 
caused  many  to  flock  to  our  windows.  Some  of  them  re- 
marked, "You  will  not  feel  like  singing  in  Botany  Bay." — 

*'0iv«  us  Botany  Bay,"  said  one,  and  it  was  done  in  good 
5* 


I  ,f 


!^ 


*1j 

S 

■* 

^1 

li  V 

1  fl 

1 

*  j 

ij 

jyi 


»H 


NAHUATIVK  OK  A 


»    ''J 


Style.  Tlic  ''American  Star"  was  siuig  again  by  request  or 
an  officer  who  Imd  manifostcd  much  sympathy  for  us,  and 
wished  us  well,  Wb  have  found during'^our  confinement,  ma- 
ny that  have  wished  us  well,  but  have  not  had  it  in  their  pow- 
er to  render  us  much  assistance.  In  about  an  hour  and  a 
hajffrom  the  time  our  irons  were  put  on,  the  Sheriff,  togeth- 
er with  eight  or  ten  others,  visited  the  different  rooms,  call- 
ing their  names,  telling  them  to  prepare  for  amove.  After 
going  througl),  we  were,  in  a  short  time,  paraded  inside  the 
walls  of  the  fort.  Our  names  were  called  again,  which 
together  with  the  19  before  mentioned,   were  as  follows: 

John  Bradly,  Orlin  Blodget,  Chaundey  Bugbee,  George  T. 
Brown,  Lysander  Curtis,  Robert  G.  Collins,  John  Cronkhitc, 
Luther  Darby,  Moses  A.  Dutcher,  Aaron  Dreiser,  Leonard 
Delano,  Elon  Fellows,  Emanuel  Garrison,  John  Gillman, 
William  Gates,  Garriet  Hicks,  Daniel  D.Hustis,  James  In- 
glis,  David  House,  Andrew  Leeper,  Joseph  Lefort,  Daniel  Lis- 
comb,  Andrew  Moore,  Foster  Martin,  Ira  Polly,  Williom 
Reynolds,  Orrin  W.  Smith,  Henry  Shew,  John  G.  Swan- 
burgh,  Thomas  Stockton,  RiJoy  Whitney,  David  Allen,  John 
Morriset,  John  Thomas,  Edward  A,  Willson,  Hugh  Calhoun, 
John  Berry,  Jehial  II.  Martin,  Alson  Owens,  Samuel  Wash- 
burne,  Michael  A.  Fraer,  Gideon  A.  Goodrich,  Hiram  Loop, 
Calvin  Mathews,  Nelson  Griggs,  Chauncey  Mathews,  Jacob 
Paddock,  Hiram  Sharp,  Nathan  Whiting,  Jerry  Griggs,  Asy 
W.  Richardson,  Stephen  S.  Wright,  Thomas  Bakei',  Bemas 
Woodbury,  Patrick  White,  James  Pierce,  Solomon  Reynolds, 
Joseph  Stewart,  Asa  Pi'iest. 

I  will  here  remark  that  they  had  been  careful  to  put  some 
amongst  us,  as  we  have  suppposed,  t6  act  the  part  of  spies. 
Two  accompanied  us  from  Toronto,  and  we  found  two  at  fort 
Henry.  Their  names  are  as  follows:  Edwin  Merritt,  John 
McMuligan,  John  Dean,  William  Highland;  the  first  three' for 
murder,  the"  latter  for  desertion.  They  were  sent  with  Us  to 
Van  Diemcns  Lajid,  but  vve  werdled  to  believe  they  had  been 
promised  favors,  If  they  would  Wfcitch  and  dfetect  ahything  we 
might  say  Or  dd,  which  might  assiist  them  as  well  there  as  on 
our  passage.  We 'were  now  mai*c;hed  cjut  of  the  fort  with  a 
guard  of  rejpildi'  solWei^s*,'  double  file  on''6a.ch  to,  and  iibout 
one  hal f  a  tnite  Ifrom  there  lay  a  barge  J^e'ady  for"  buir  r^cep- 
liop.     As  sooii  as  we  were  all  on  board  We  moved  off  down 


-nti«<n  I   n«ii»iir>n 


FATRiOT   EXILE. 


69 


ihc  Uidau  canal,  into  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec.  Wo  saf- 
Ibrcd  considerablo  on  our  passage,  there  being  eo  krgo  a  num- 
ber in  80  small  a  spacej-and  kilrbdin^  in  irone.  1  ^viil  leavo 
you  to  judge  ofour  situation  during  a  voyage  of  five  days  and 
ilve  nights  to  Quebec.  After  leaving  the  canal,  wo  were  ta- 
ken down  the  river  by  eteamboats;  we  run  along  side  of  the 
ship  Buffalo,  which  lay  about  one  mile  off  Quebec,  at  anchor. 
A  list  or  roll  was  handed  the  captain,  and  by  his  orders  read 
lo  us  as  we  stepped  on  deck,  which  was  no  more  nor  less  than 
a  list  of  our  names,  each  one  answering  to  his  name  as  it 
was  called,  and  instantly  passing  below  the  second  deck.  It 
was  quite  dark,  but  after  being  there  some  time,  we  found  fif- 
ty-seven French  prisoners,  who  had  come  on  board  the  day 
previous;  but  they,  as  well  as  ourselves,  had  been  tried  hy  a 
corrupt  court,  and  had  received  no  sentence  and  did  not  know 
where  they  were  bound,  but  they  learned  some  days  previous 
that  they  were  soon  to  go  on  ship  board,  with  the  prospect  of 
a  long  voyage.  This  gave  their  friends  an  opportunity  of  fit- 
ting them  out  quite  comfortable  to  what  we  were;  we  having 
not  thirty-five  minutes  from  the  time  our  irons  were  on,  be- 
fore we  were  under  way,  and  as  you  may  say,  entirely  desti- 
tute of  the  comforts  of  life,  and  literally  alive  with  vermin, 
which,  during  the  warm  weather,  instead  of  decreasing,  had 
been  increasing  to  an  alarming  extent,  and  you  may  judge 
what  kind  of  condition  we  were  in  for  a  four  and  a  half 
months  voyage  on  the  ocean. 

HerBritanic  Majesty's  ship  Buffalo,  Capt.  Wood,  on  the 
28th  of  September,  1839,  weighed  anchor  and  set  sail.  Rea- 
der! can  you  judge  of  our  situation,  not  only  bodily  but  in 
mind  after  enduring  for  ten  months  in  Canada,  all  that  wo 
could  endure  and  live.  I  say,  what  do  you  think  must  have 
been  our  feeliftgsftt  the  prospect  of  leaving  friends,  wives  and 
children,  fathers -a'nd  mothers,  brothers  and  sisters,  and  per- 
haps oiiro^n  native  land  forever;  and  no  prospect  but  to  drag 
out,  perhdpd,  along  life  of  misery,  and  may  be,  of  servitude, 
in  iTBritidh  penal  colony,  amongst  the  offscourings  (so  called) 
of  all  Europe.  You  will  perceive  we  were  left  to  our  own 
surmtsiiygs  as  to  our  destination.  We  were  now  under  way ; 
perhaps  the  first  time  that  many  or  all  of  us  were  ever  on 
board  a  Ship.  We  are  soon  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence;  it 
is  very  rough  and  we  begin  to  be  sea-sick.     Oh!    that  you 


C] 

;  ■     ".' 

\ 

'  . , 

> 

i 

i       ■ 

■'    *    ^1 

U:,-     ^' 

'1 


V.J. 


•   *i 


Ij 


I     f 


i    I 


GO 


NAmtATlVli:  OV  A 


could  behold  ut!  One  hundred  and  thirly-eight  of  mh  in  the 
hole,  ofi  the  Sd^ieek,  whioli  caused  us  to  be  under  water,  as 
you  may  lav,  during  the  ummm;  the  sea  beating  against  her 
sides,  which  of\en  resembled  thunder;  the  ship  rolling  and 
tumbling,  throwing  us  from  side  to  side;  tho  tubs  for  uso,  per* 
haps  lull  at  the  commencement  of  the  rolling,  and  now  going 
with  us,  and  among  us,  from  side  to  side;  emptied  of  their  con* 
tents,  together  with  the  effects  of  sea-sickness,  which  caused 
the  deck  to  be  slippery,  sending  forth  not  a  very  agreeable 
smell;  some  endeavoring  to  hold  on  to  others;  some  laying 
down;  some  sitting;  some  going  on  all  fours;  in  fact,  I  can- 
not describe  all  tho  forms  and  uianceuvorings  that  we  wont 
through  with  for  one  week.  Many,  during  the  week,  had 
not  tasted  a  morsel  of  food;  others  would  throw  it  up  as  soon 
as  swallowed.  Somo  with  holes  cut  in  their  heads,  and  oth- 
er parts  of  their  bodies  by  the  tubs  and  the  posts  of  our  berths 
But  1  will  not  attempt  to  further  describe  our  situation.  The 
reader  may  perhaps  say^  Oh,  I  have  been  seasick,  I  know 
what  it  is.  But  allow  me  to  ask  if  you  have  ever  i)een. sea- 
sick, and  in  the  same  or  similar  circumstanees  thai  we  were! 
I  think  if  you  could  have  seen  us,  you  might  be  able  to  de- 
scribe sea-sickness  differently  from  any  that  you  ever  before 
beheld.  >  , ^mi>. u,  if  ,.nmr  ^jh)  mm n h  . J 

When  we  began  to  be  a  little  over  our  sea«sickness  and  had 
put  things  a  little  to  rights,  we  were  ranked  up,  all  that  could 
stand,  and  divided  off  into  messes  of  12  men  each,  and  one 
man  appointed  out  of  each  mess  to  attend  to  procuring  and 
dividing  the  rations.  When  the  cook  called  out  from  the 
hatchway  *'dinner,  O!"  the  sentry  from  the  upper  deck  would 
pass  the  word  to  the  sentry  on  the  main,  or  2d  deck,  and  he 
to  the  3d,  when  he  would  unlock  tho  trap  door^  and  the  cap-] 
tain,  08  they  were  called,  of  each  mess  would  ascend  the  nar- 
row ladder  up  to  tho  2d  deck,  for  the  doorway  was  so  narrow] 
and  small  that  but  one  man  could  pass  up  or  down  at  a  timei 
make  their  way  to  the  cook's  galley;  each  one  tidce  his  kiddj 
and  return  one  at  a  time  until  all  was  below.  The  door  w< 
fastened  at  once  after  the  last  one  was  up,  and  opened  agai; 
{is  they  returned  with  their  Kidds,  and  then  opened  again  un 
til  they  were  passed  up  to  the  sentries  or  cook's  mate,  wb 
carried  them  to  tho  gnlloy  on  the  upper  deck.  My  object  ii 
describing  so  particularly  our  situation,  is,  to  answer  tho 


1 1  rmiiii  I  p  <m 


-""""•  ■  — ~ir  Mini 


PATRIOT   eXILfi. 


i«l 


who  havo  said  to  mo  since  my  return,  *'0,  if  1  had  been 
Aboard  that  ship,  1  think  I  never  would  have  gone  to  Van 
Dieman's  Land.*'  Now,  eucli  a  man,  whoever  ho  may  be 
has  no  idea  of  the  condition  we  were  in  on  board  a  strong 
prison  ship,  with,  at  least,  twenty-five  men,  armed  and  equip- 
ped as  the  law  directs,  on  duty  over  us  at  different  stations, 
day  and  night  during  our  passage.  (These  are  the  kind  of 
mQn  that  knew  the  patriots  would  fail.)  Now,  I  have  learned 
this  much  for  certain,  during  the  last  seven  years;  that  when  I 
hear  a  man  talking  much  and  boasting  loud,  and  telling  what 
he  wouM  do;  how  he  would  fight;  that  he  would  let  tliem 
know  that  he  could  do  t!<is  and  that;  that  he  never  would  sub- 
mit or  in  any  manner  knuckle;  that  he  would  fight  till  ho 
died,  &c.,  &c.;  I  say  [  have  learned  to  put  him  down  as  a 
coward.  I  said  I  had  learned  this  within  the  last  7  years. 
Now,  I  was  fully  convinced  of  the  fact  about  the  years  '87 
and  '38,  and  the  reader  will  know  by  this  time  who  I  havo 
reference  to.  It  is  chiefly  on  the  account  of  these  very  tre- 
mendous smart  and  brave  men,  that  hundreds  have  been  doom- 
ed to  death  and  sufTorings  that  cannot  be  easily  described. — 
Notwithstanding  our  condition  on  board  the  ship  Buffalo,  the 
prisoners  were  not  blustering  men,  neither  were  they  cow- 
ards, 'i"' ■•.»'♦»:»   '•}  ,j-jj:,  I'.'im.-nr.    -.Of'f:  M" '••t   J  v,'";  ?n«J 

Afler  wo  had  been  about  three  weeks  at  sea,  and  having 
recovered  a  little  from  our  seasickness,  and  the  most  of  us 
having  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  we  were  bound  for  Van 
Dieman's  Land,  we  felt  anxious  and  willing  to  attempt  to 
turn  6a r  course,  if  possible,  to  the  coast  of  America.  But, 
you  say,  *''could  you  manage  the  ship?"  Yes,  we  had  with 
us  an  old  and  able  sea  captain,  that  had  followed  the  busineaa 
from  his  youth  up,  and  under  his  instruciic  n<,  we  would  in 
case  of  emergency  soon  have  become  sailors.  There  were 
about  140  prisoners  and  wo  should  have  to  oppose  us,  140 
sailors  and  soldiers  who  could  be  armed  at  a  moments  notice. 
TWroiigh  the  influence  of  the  Doctor,  who  was  a  man  and  a 
gentleman,  we  were  permitted  to  occupy  the  upper  deck  in 
portions  of  two  messes  lor  an  hour  under  o  strong  guard, 
however,  and  then  return  and  others  come  up,  and  so  on  un- 
til all  had  had  an  hour  each  day,  for  the  benefit  of  our  healtii 
and  to  prevent  us  from  getting  the  scurvy.  The  Doctor  had 
a  certain  sum  for  all  delivered  alive,  therefore,  it  was  for  his 
5* 


\   ' 


}a 


t\ 


"•« 


M^ 


\i 


\  'i 


;  \ 


NAIRATIVI  OP  A 


I    (. 


'  Ki 


interest  to  keep  us  alive  if  possible;  oUliougli  the  condltioa  of 
the  prisoners  wos  very  bad  indeed.  During  our  short  visits 
on  deck  us  above  described,  on  looking  aA,  near  the  cabin 
door,  we  discovered  some  40  or  fifty  muskets  with  bayonets 
in  a  stationary  racki  w  fixed  that  rough  weather  could  not 
liifectthcm.     They  were  spare  arms,  so  called,  that  in  cose 

:  of  necessity,  the  sailors  could  be  quickly  armed.     It  was  men- 

;  tioned  that  if  we  cOuld  manage  to  get  hold  of  those  muskets, 
and  at  the  same  time  keep  down  the  hatches,  that  none  could 

'  come  against  us  but  those  on  deck,  and  at  the  same  time  let 
up  the  prisoners,  the  ship  might  bo  taken.  As  hazardous  as 
was  the  prospect,  [  believe  that  nearly  all  were  willing  to  at- 
tempt it  rather  than  go  to  Van  Dieman^s  {^and.  In  case  of 
a  failure,  we  expected  to  swing  on  the  yard  arm,  therefore, 
you  might  expect  that  we  would  have  dono  all  in  our  power, 

.  and  the  story  would  have  been  told  in  a  very  few  minutes 
from  the  start.  The  Captain  and  guard  came  below,  when 
the  Captain  remarked,  *^I  have  been  informed  that  it  is  your 
intention  to  try  to  take  the  ship."  We  were  all  very  much 
astonished,  but  replied  at  once  that  ho  had  been  wrongly  in- 
formed; that  we  had  no  sueh  intentions,  for  wo  knew  it^would 
be  folly  to  attempt  it.  "VVell,"  sajd  he  "it  may  not  be  so, 
but  as  I  havo  been  informedof  the  fact,  of  the  attempt,  I  shall 
bo  under  the  necessity  of  putting  a  double  watch  over  you, 
likewise,  of  depriving  yoiji  of  cpmingon  deck,  although  it  was 
iot  your  health  tliat  you  hjave  bo&n  allowed  that  privilege.— 
He  remarked  that  some  captains  would  put  us  all  in  double 
irons,  but  as  he  had  a  suiliciont  number  of  soldiers  to  prevent 
us  from  succeed  in^n  an  attempt  of  that  kind,  he  would  dis- 
pense with  the  chains  fop  the  present,  and  made  some  few  rc- 

'inarhs  respecting  our  future  conduct  and  left  ws.  Now,  of 
course,  he  did  not  tell  us  who  the  infoi'mer  was,  but  whoever 
he  was,  it  appears  that  he  had  overheard  some  remarks  which 
led  him  to  believe  ho  might  be  rewarded  by  informing  against 

'.us.  However  careful  we  had  been  to  avoid  saying  any4bing 
in  presence  of  the  four  men  before  mentioned*   we  supposed 

one  of  them  had  overheard  something  that  might  have  been 

iSaid  and  immediately  informed  the  captain  of  the  supposed 
plot;  but  1  believe  the  oaptain  more  than  half  sus|)octed  thai 
he  had  done  it  without  any  foundation,  and  as  a  matter  of 
oourse,  wo  did  all  in  our  power  to  make>^/m  think  so.— 


').■ 


t; 


■mi 


-'^*"'  *  -^  -  - 


I'ATRIOT   DXILB. 


M 


Thus  you   8CP,  it  is  Dot  bo  easy  a  in&ttor  to  tnko  a  ship  liko 
that  and  in  ti)o  condition  wo  woro  in.     Soma  might  wondor 
why  wo  woro  not  all  put  in  irons,  but  that  can  easily  bo  ac- 
counted  for  from  iho  fact  that  we  woro  in  a  strong  prison-ship, 
and  when  in  out  prison,  there  Was  no  pros|icct  whatever  ot* 
escape,     Ekit  one  man  could  ascend  the  stairway  at  a  time, 
and  double  sentries  were  placed  on  each  dock,  and  at  each  door; 
iho  doors  being  fastened  by  a  bar  of  iron  across  it,  and  a  pad- 
lock.    Bven  if  the  door  hod  been  kept  open,  a  man  with  a 
musket  and  bayonet  could  have  kept  us  all  down,  as  only  one 
person  could  ascend  at  a  time.     We  were  now  getting  where 
it  was  getting  quite  wai  m,  and  being  allowed  but  one  pint  of 
water  per  day,  after  our  sea-sickness  was  over,  we  suffered 
greatly  from  thirst.     Between  hunger,  thirst,  vermin  and  close 
confinement,  very  little  or  no  air,  not  being  allowed  as  beforo 
an  hour  each  day  on  deck;  and  many  other  inconveniences, 
besides  living  on  salt  provisk>ns;  we  camo  near  porishing.-— 
Scarcely  a  day  passed,  but  some  one  of  us  had  one,  two,  three 
or  four  teeth  extracted,  and  some  were  obliged  to  call  the  doc- 
tor frd«n  his  berth  in  ttio  middle  of  the  night  to  extract  teeth 
for  them;  and  some  wore  so  loose  that  we  could  pick  them  out 
with  our  fingers.     I  was  oonipelled  to  call  him  on  one  occa- 
sion in  the  night,  when  it  appeared  to  me  that  1  could  not  livo 
until  morning.     I  had  had  the  tooth  ache  before,  but   it  was 
but  a  slight  pain  compared  with  what  1  then  su fibred,  it  was 
now  so  severe,  that  it  was  impossible  for  me   to  lie  in  my 
betfth,  and  it  appeared  to  me  that  a  person  could  not  have  the 
tooth-nche  half  as  bad  a^  I  did  that  night.     Il  appeared  to  bo 
a  second'  dbublo  tooth,  and  1  told  tho  doctor  that  I  was  asha- 
med to  call  him  up  to  extract  a  tooth  for  me.     ^'Oh,"  said  he, 
^it  is  nothing  strange;  I  have  seen  people  perfectly  crazy 
with  it.     it  npp^rs  you  men  will  loose  all  your  teeth  before 
we  get  into  port."     "Yes,"  said  I,  *'and  1  belieyoit  is  on  the. 
accountof  long  confinement,  and  bad  treatment,", to  which  he 
assented.  7, 

After  being  ou I  nearly  two  months,  we  put  into  Ri'>Janei« 
ro,  South  America,  and  lay  there  three  dayti:.  It  happened 
to  be  the  Emepror's  birthday,  and  although  wc  were  not  al- 
lowed to  go  on  shore,  wc  could  discover  through  a  sky«;r 
tignt,  the  flags  on  the  pittnacles  of  houses  and  hills  apparently 
reaching  to  the  clouds.     There  appeared  to  be  flags  of  all 


*.i 


V.i 


04 


NARRATkVB  Of  A 


.  I. 


\ , 


mitionf,  and  it  being  the  lattor  part  ofNovembur,  the  hilki 
were  grcon  with  verauro,  but  our  confiiiomont  provcntad  us 
from  takinga  view  of  the  citvt  but  from  what  wo  could  learn 
it  wa«  delightful,  at  all  evenkiv  wo  would  have  been  glad  to 
luvQ  stopped  there.  The  doctor,  knowing  a  litilo  /ruit  would 
be  good  for  us  in  preventing,  as  well  as  curing  the  scurvy, 
told  us  if  there  was  any  one  amongst  ua  who  had  any  tiion- 
cy,  wi  could  send  it  on  shore  for  some  fruit,  as  boats  wore 
constantly  going  back  and  forth  from  the  ship  to  the  shore, 
and  that  any  of  the  officers,  soldiers,  or  sailors  would  bring 
itfor  U9;  Some  of  us  had  a  Utile  money,  others  had  none, 
but  the  fruit  purchased  was  distributed  among  all.  Oranges, 
lemons,  pino-apples,  and  limes.  It  is  a  fine  harbor,  and  a 
good  many  vessels  from  different  nations  were  there.  Wc 
were  visited  while  there  by  a  British  Admiral  who  said  we 
needed  some  fresh  provisions,  and  asked  6ome  few  questions 
and  then  lefL  The  4th  day  in  the  morning,  wo  about  ship 
— set  sail,  and  was  soon  on  our  way,  we  knew  not  wliero. 
Not  long  after  leaving  this  place,  the  ship  encountered  a  se- 
vere and  heavy  gale,  which  caused  her  to  leak  very  much. 
She  was  an  old  ship,  and  had  formerly  been  a  man-of-war, 
but  for  the  last  two  or  three  years  she  had  been  employed  as 
a  convict  ship  to  transport  prisoners  from  Kngiand  to  Sid- 
ney and  New  South  Wales. 

Wo  were  compelled  to  take  our  turn  at  the  pump,  which 
required  to  be  kept  in  motion  to  keep  her  from  sinking. 
Now,  this  was  tolerable  good  exercise  for  those  that  were 
able,  but  I  can  assure  you,  we  were  very  little  frightened, 
and  cared  but  little  about  her  staying  above  water,  it  ap- 
peared to  us  a  matter  of  little  consequence;  I  know  some 
may  say  life  is  sweet,  but  to  us  it  appeared  very  bitter.  I 
amconAdent  that  there  arc  certain  periods  in  a  man'.^  life, 
when  he  has  no  desire  to  live.  'IWards  the  end  of  tho  voy- 
ng.^  many  that  were  sick,  and  in  fact  those  that  were  not, 
were  allowed  on  deck  daily,  not  without  a  strong  guard,  how- 
ever; bat  I  must  confess  that  the  prospect  of  our  tnking  the 
ship  was  very  poor,  and  they  knew  it  The  .doctor  was 
afraid  we  would  all  die,  and  had  persuaded  the  Captain  to 
allow  us  to  come  on  deck  more,  though  it  be  but  a  fow  at  a 
time.  When  we  were  on  deck  we  could  aee  thousands  of 
Moth  er  Carey's  chickens,  Sea  Gulls,  Albatros,  and  flylng- 


fiih  in 
three 
tU  loi 
you  c[ 
water, 
not  ri' 
to  cat. 
very 
pounds 
When 
limb! 
They 
bocf, 
numbc 
1  shall 
as  I  ah 
ter  par 
A«a 
our  pal 
togethc 
from  fr 
our  see 
feel  ten 
that  I  r( 
in  my  I 
of  the  s! 
months 
Priest  V 
three  cl 
hatch,  s 
body,  w 
iwcnty- 
rotid  by 
raised  c 
sid"!,  th 
soon  dii 
had  bid 
turned 
Bontriea 
Mr.  Ca 
versing. 


IL 


ilM 


•MM 


MMHaMMHMn 


PATfl^f  SYILI 


05 


fiih  l:i  nbuidanco.     Those  fish  weigh  from  ono  to  two  anJ 
three  lbs.;  iheir  wings  or  fins  roiemblj  r  bal*«  wing  only  lit- 
tle longer.     Thoy  raiso  with  the  swell  and  as  it  loaves  them, 
you  can  often  sec  thoisands  of  thorn  a  few  CqqI  obove  th»^ 
water.     They  often  light  on  the  ship'u  dt  ck  when  they  can 
riot  rise  more  than  any  other  fish;  th'iy  aro  also  very  gooc 
to  eat.     Porpoissos  were  to  be  seen  in  droves  of  hundroJu, 
very  often.     They  weigh  from  ton  lotwo  and  throe  hundrec 
pounds,  and  thoir  body  and  head  resemble  a  hoc  in  shapr. 
When  you  see  them  at  a  distance,  you  would  thioK  thoy  were 
t  imblingover  and  over;  they  have  no  scales  but  a  dark  skin 
They  arc  ofton  taken  and  cooked  and   the  flesh   resemble/ 
beef,  only  a  little  darker  and  n  )t  qliite  so  good.     We  saw  5 
number  of  sharks,  and  three  or  four  whalesrii  thi  way,  bu' 
1  shall  not  say  much  respoctirig   the  wl»ale  and  e.c.irk  hero 
as  I  shall  have  to  say  something  moo  a:x>inth?ai  lathe  af 
ter  part  of  the  book.        ~'  . 

Asa  Priest  was  the  only  one  out  of  (>v.r  i/,iny  that  died  on 
our  passage,  but  a  great  number  of  us  wcro  ;iel;.  Kj^df, 
together  with  three  or  four  others  '•imhrwf.'ni  much  s.}1erinfi: 
from  frozen  feet,  and  when  we  got  where  we  could  pu'l  olf 
our  socks,  the  skincamo  off  with  liicm,  whi".,  madu  o/r  fh  >i 
feel  lender  and  theefTucts  of  salt  water  cai-ed  vnclj  itching 
that  I  really  thought  we  should  scratch  thsm  otT.  The  fai.j 
in  my  breast  was  very  sever,e  and  the  rolllni*  and  fumMiug 
of  the  ship  made  it  worse,  this  was  the  f^ifocts  of  the  fir^t  I  wo 
months  imprisonment  in  Fort  Maiden,  Upper  Canai'^a.  Mr 
Priest  waM  a  very  quiet,  social  man  and  ho  I 'il  a  wifis  ami 
three  children.  He  was  taken  on  djck  and  lairj  or?  the  main 
hatch,  some  strong  thick  canvass  was  sewed  tight  rouvid  hiftr 
body,  wiih  two  19  pound  shot  in  the  sick  at  his  feet.  A'joi 
twenty-five  of  us  wore  called  on  dck,  the  fumiral  sarvicf 
read  by  th?  first  Litjutenant  of  ih  ;  ^\vp,  nnd  the  corpse  was 
raised  on  a  board  by  four  m^n  Uyin^  onv  c»ji  ci?  the  ship^t 
sid'^,  the  other  raised  up  till  It'rVUi  off  feet  foremost  and 
soon  disappeared.  We  couM  not  mi  irn  for  ono  we  felt  sure 
had  bid  adieu  to  a  life  of  yjfibring,  an  I  wSose  spirit  had  re- 
turned to  God  who  gave  it.  While  we  were  on  deck  tk« 
Bentries  ware  sLimod  with  pistols  as  well  as  muskets,  uiai 
Mr.  Curtis  and  myself  were  sitting  opposite  our  bcrtk  « 
ye rsing.  the  sentry's  pistcl  JvCcidenlally    we«t    tf  the  b 


K 

t 

t 

1     ■'      ' 

!^Hf 

1    \ 

^Bv 

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11  I 


OG 


NARIlAtlVK  OF  A 


f  f.n  r.  t:  I    ftf     "^nO   f"'i 


,|: 


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I 

r 


passing  Lelwcen  us,  lodged  In  the  sliij/s  side.  Tho  report 
gave  a  general  alarm,  every  olTicer  and  soldier  rushiri|j  to 
the  hatchway,  supposing  wo  had  mado  an  alicmrit  to  tako 
tho  ship,  but  having  learned  tho  cause  of  alarm,  soon  all 
was  quiet  again.  We  pnssed  near,  and  in  sight  of  a  few 
email  islands^  names  not  known  by  us.  One  little  island, 
the  sergeant  said,  was  called  St.  Paul's,  and  I  should  judge 
by  what  I  could  discover  that  it  was  not  over  five  or  six 
miles  in  lenglh.  Tho  doubling  the  Cape  of  Good  Mope  was 
somewhat  rough.  VVo  are  now  in  the  Indian  Ocean,  but 
have  not  yet  learned  our  destination.  The  sentry  remarked 
that  we  would  soon  be  in  port.  "What  port?"  says  one. 
**Ilobarl  town,"  replied  the  sentry.  Can  it  be  possible  that 
we  are  going  to  a  penal  colony,  and  there  to  remain  after 
going  through  with  so  mnch  suffering'?  Yes,  reader!  wo 
are  doomed  to  suffer,  not  oiily  for  our  own  crimes,  but  for 
all  the  supposed  Crimea  ofihe  liberal  party  in  Canada,  as 
well  as  the  alleged  insults  of  tlie  United  States  ever  since 
their  separation  from  the  crown.  It  was  repeatedly  thrown 
in  our  faces — *'youa.re  a  rebellious  set,  you  yankees;  you 
have  caused  England  a  ^reat  deal  oftrouble,  not  satisfied  with 
revolting  yourselves  and  deigning  to  trample  upon  our  flag 
but  must  induce  and  assist  the  peaceable  Canadians  to  follow 
your  example,  but  we've  got  you  under  our  thumb  now  and 
until  all  difficulties  between  us  and  the  United  States  are  set- 
tled, yflu  need  ncSL  expect  liberty.  You  know  Iho  Caroline 
and  Maine,  boundary  line  and  Oregon,  and  some  other  diffi- 
cuhies,  were  in  agitation  about  this  time,  and  we  were  given 
to  understand  we  would  be  held  as  hostages  until  all  difficul- 
ties were  settled.  **But,"  said  we,  **would  it  not  be  unjust 
to  punish  a  fuw  for  the  crimes  of  a  whole  nation?"  *'0h!" 
said  they,  ♦'you  yankees  areall  alike,  we  canU  punish  you 
amiss;  you  are  a  rebelious  set;  but  we  will  yet  convince  you 
and  your  nation,  that  you  cannot  trample  upon  the  British 
flag  with  impunity."'  Not  only  once  or  twice,  but  often,  have 
we  been  obliged  to  hear  Ruch  language  from  Noble  Briton's 
favored  sons,  in  office.  You  may  ask,  *'is  this  true?  was  it 
so?"*  1  ask  you  was  it  not  sol  Was  if' until  there  was  a 
general  Amnesty,  granted  to  all  that  had  left  Canada,  and 
until  all  before  mentioned  difficulties,  between  England  and 
the  IJnited  States  were  settled?  before  we  were  allowed  tp 


Patriot  exile. 


return  to  our  homes,  (if  we  could  get  there,)  after  seven 
long  years  of  imprisonment  nnd  sufTorings,  without  a  penny, 
sick  and  worn  out,  without  friends  sixteen  thousand  miles 
from  horne.  ♦'But,"  says  one,  *'werc  you  not  assisted  in 
getting  homo?"  Not  a  farthing,  from  either  Go\CTnment 
or  individual.     ,  •  ',  ,  '     •       -ii   .   >_  ...c; 

Now,  to  many,  it  may  appear  strange,  but  it's  noleFStrue, 
that  it  was  not  actually  the  crime  wo  had  committed,  but  to 
show  the  reformers  of  Canada,  as  well  as  the  United  States, 
their  A^niighty  power,  and  awe  them  into  subjection,  to  show 
them  what  they  might  depend  upon  if  they  dared  to  lift  a 
finger  against  their  right  to  rule  against  law  or  justice.  Mas 
it  had  the  desired  effectl  has  Canada  or  the  United  States, 
dared  to  ^ay  a  word,  or  ventured  to  make  a  demand  of  those 
that  have  been  illegally  and  severely  punished,  for  the  samo 
crime  that  hundreds  and  thousands  have  acknowledged  just 
awd  holyl  How  were  those  difficulties  settled  between  the 
two  Governments,  by  which  we,  on  the  part  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, were  held  as  hostages,  and  in  the  settlement  were  we  in- 
cluded? It  maybe  the  settlement  has  added  glory  and  honor 
to  the  Stars  aud  Stripes  of*  our  Flag,  but  many  say  not. 
Some  have  asked  us,  or  said  ti;  us,  1  suppose  when  you  get 
home,  you  will  commence  a  suit  for  false  imprisonment? 
To  somo  I  have  replied,  oh  no  our  Government  has  said  we 
**nced  not  look  to  them  for  assistance,  to  besure  they  have 
had  bad  luck,  though  it  was  a  good  cause,  we  are  sorry,  but 
cant^elp  t(ieip,  England  may  do  as  she  likes  with  them, 
they  have  broken  our  laws,  and  they  must  expect  to  suffer.'' 
Thus  virtually  acknowledging  (ho  cause  to  have  been  good, 
and  instead  of  demanding  us  of  the  British  Government, 
that  we  might  be  tried  by  our  own  laws,  that  we  had  broken, 
and  punished  accordingly,  we  were  allowed  to  be  tried  in  Can- 
ada, where  no  law  or  justice  existed*  by  a  corrupt  Court- Mar- 
tial, consequently  wo  received  no  sentence,  and  you  seo  what 
follow^. 

Oh?  my  beloved  friends,  and  sons  of  our  father's  of  *76  that 
so  nobly  fought,  bled  and  died,  for  ours  as  well  as  their  right, 
wliat  will  be  done  to  sever  that  old  aiistocratic  chain,  which 
is  daily  strengthening,  that  reaches  from  England  across  the 


;  ^  .' 


*..! 


*Lord  Dtirliam  declared  it,  and  did  not  btnmc  the  people  fur  rebelling. 


lij  1- 


tW 


NAflfiATlVK  OV  A 


>  &*> 


V 


,'ii 


Atlaiit$«4^  inlo  our  Legislative  Hulls,  and  fiorn  cily  to  city 
through  our  once  happy  America;  which  chain  bids  fair  to 
encircle  us,  the  object  of  which,  1*8,  to  bind  the  hands  of  the 
poor  laboring  and  honest  man,  that  his  pockets  may  the  more 
easily  be  emptied  of  his  days  labor.  As  a  friend  of  liberty 
and  equal  rights,  may  I  liere  warn  you  to  see  to  it  befoie  it 
is  too  late.  What  would  Washington  think  and  say,  if  he 
wore  to  visit  the  United  States,  at  this  time?  think  you  he 
could  shake  hands  with  as  many  warm-hearted  patriots  and 
friends  of  liberty  and  justice,  in  our  Legislative  Halls,  as 
when  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  our  Republic?    Judge  ye? 

It  is  now  the  10th  of  February,  1840,  but  hark!  what  do 
wo  hear?  The  weather-beaten  sailor  from  the  mast-head, 
sings  out,  "land  ho,"  "where  away?"  cries  the  captain;  **three 
points  on  the  weather  bow,  sir."  Now  many  orders  are  giv- 
en in  quick  succession,  and  obeyed  as  quickly — the  wind  is 
fresh  from  shore — now  the  order,  "about  ship,"  now  **tll 
hands  take  in  sail."  The  wind  increasing,  we  were  driven 
off,  and  lost  sight  of  land — we  discovered  it  next  day,  but  was 
on  the  wrong  end  to  niake  harbor.  On  the  second  day  we 
returned  to  where  we  were  on  the  first — the  wind  increasing 
WQ  were  driven  off  again — third  day,  made  the  mouth  of  tl^ 
Derwent  river,  thirty-five  miles  from  Hobart-Town  Harbor; 
the  wind  shifting,  blew  fresh  up  the  river.  In  a  short  time 
the  order  was  heard,  "all  hands  take  in  sail."  Presently 
was  heard,^"cast  anchor." 

Hero  we  are,  safely  anchored  in  Hobart-Town  Harbor, 
Van  Dieman's  Land,  February  13th,  after  a  tedious,  and  to 
us,  a  distressing  voyage  of  four  months  and  a  half  from  Que- 
bec, distance  10,00*0  miles.  '  / .  .  .'  *  7  -  ••  ^—^ 
,  We  were  soon  visited  by  the  board  of  health.  We  iremain- 
ed  on  board  the  ship  twenty-four  hours,  during  which  time, 
Mr.  Gunn,  with  two  clerks,  were  in  the  cabin,  before  whom 
we  were  undergoing  an  examination,  which  was  m  follows: 

We  were  brought  in  before  him,  one  at  a  time,  and  asked 
the  following  questions:  which  we  replied  to.  "What  is  your 
name?  What  is  your  age?  Your  trade?  Your  religion?  Your 
native  place?  Where  were  you  arrested?  What  were  you 
tried  for?  Where  were  you  tried?  What  was  your  sonienco?" 
An  answer,  "never  had  any  sentence."  "For  what  length 
of  time  were  you  sent?     An  answer,  "cannot  say."    (Turn 


iUTRlOT  EXILE. 


60 


I  • 


.t»)/ 


ing  to  his  clcik.)     Put  them  down  for  life.  ''When  were  you 
tried?  When  did  you  leave  Canada?  Are  you  married?  if 
married,  where  does  your  wife  live?  Of  what  religion  is  she  * 
Have  you  any  children?  How  many  males?  How  many  fe- 
.  males?  Wlmt  sex  is  the  oldest?  What  the  youngest?  Wimt 
,  ^ro  their  respective  ages?  Are  your  parents  living?  Whern 
.  do  xhcy  reside?  What  their  native  country?  W)iat  their  respect- 
ive ages.^  Vy  hat  their  rpl'gion?  Can  they  read  or  write?  Can 
you  read  or  write?  Ha-ven  you  any  scars  on  any  part  of  your 
. body?  (speaking  to.  a  sei  .ant.)     Take  hin?  aside,  and  exam- 
ine.   .  What  is  yqur  number?     That  will  do,."  .  . 
.  At  the r time  .this  was  talcing  place,  another  man  was  care- 
fully eyeing  us,  and  as  we  learned,  was  talcing  down  our 
,  lilcenesses;  spot,  sCar,  mole,  color  of  eyes,  hair,  shape  of 
mouth,  nose,  chin,  general  appearance  of  features,  number  of 
teetb  lost,  weight,  heighth,  etc.     Finally  our  likenesses  were 
taken,  and  so  minutely,  that  either  of  us  could  be  detected,  in 
.  ca^e  of  any  escape.     The  French  prisonera,  fifty-seven  in 
nuinber,  were  exempt  from  the  examination,  as  above  descri- 
bed, because  they  did  not  leave  the  ship  at  this  place,  but 
were  taken  to  Sidney,  which  is  about  700  miles  from  Van 
Dieman's.     We  afterwards  learned  that  they  were  treated 
much  better  than  ourselves;  they  were  liberated  some  time 
before  we  were,  and  assisted  in  getting  home.     We  expected 
after   hearing   Governor  Franklin's  splendid  speech,  which 
we  were  honored  with,  the  first  morning  after  landing,  that 
the  old  reprobate  was  death  on  the  yankees,  and  were  after- 
wards fully  convinced  of  the  fact.  „; 

.v->       -,,)f'^.>'!-    Off    .iipl     ,. 

J~'    ■    ■'>.  V.-P-\      S'j.;   :'         ...;';( 


CHAPTER  V. 


■''-.    :■■■     .   H 


}ir- 


**•  ;'ft'  :>  fi!-*^'' 


,;      —      *  Arrival  at   Van  Dieman's  Land, 

We  were  soon  mustered — the*  before  mentioned- list  or  i-oll, 
that  was  called  over,  at  our  y^^■'"r  on  board  the  ship,  at  Que- 
bec^   was  now  repealed  by  Ali.  (ji.nn,  the  principal  supcrin- 
6* 


;<(*, 


/■'  It  < 


f* 


»i. 


ill 


\ 


V  i 


J 


70 


NARllAllVK  Of  .\ 


!    'iViU 


h 


' 


tcnaaiit  of  convicts — and  we  were  escorted  to  the  shore,  in  a 
scow  with  six  oars.  On  landing,  there  were  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  Her  Gracious  Majesty's  lackey's,  dressed  in  blue,  with 
roundabouts,  and  in  one  hand  a  club,  and  on  one  arm  a  badge, 
that  they  might  be  distinguished  as  peace-officers,  or  consta- 
bles. Wo  were  ranked  up,  and  commenced  a  march,  we 
knew  not  where.  You  would  have  laughed  to  have  seen  us 
niovo  ofT;  the  ground  seemed  to  be  moveing,  and  we  reeling 
uiid  bracing  to  keep  erect;  but  some  loosing  their  balance, 
fell  to  the  ground;  they  were  helped  up  and  commanded  to 
proceed;  but  some  being  weak  and  sick,  were  obliged  to  fall 
in  the  rear.  One  who  hp,d  never  heard  or  seen  the  effects  of 
a  long  voyage  at  sea,  especially  u})on  persons  in  our  situ  a- 
tion,  would  have  supposed  us  all  drunk.  Our  guard,  or  peace- 
ofilf.ers,  singing  out  every  little  while,  at  those  that  could  not 
keep  up;  for  we  were  hurried  along;  "come  along  you  bloody 
craNvlers,  you'll  have  to  walk  faster  than  this  to-morrow, 
^vith  a  cart  load  of  stone — my  bloody  oath  you  will — come 
altMig  there,  you  are  not  quite  so  smart  now  as  when  you 
■was  in  Canada,  shooting  the  Queen's  Loyal  Subjects,  with 
your  yankee  rifle's;  youv'e  got  no  rifle  here,  but  you'll  find 
plenty  of  carts  and  stone."  "No,"  says  one,  "if  they  had 
their  riflqs  now,  you  would  not  dare  talk  so."  We  after- 
wards learned  that  the  man  who  made  the  remark,  was  a 
yankee  sailor.  Curiosity  was  excited,  and  a  great  many  came 
around  to  see  the  "rebels  from  Canada,"  as  >ye  were  called. 
Here  we  are,  at  Sandy  Bay  Station,  one  mile  from  Hobart- 
Town.  There  are  eight  or  nine  huts,  built  of  split  stuff,  stand- 
ing upright;  ten  or  twelve  feel  in  length,  fastened  at  the  bot- 
tom to  logs  or  sleepers,  and  thatched  rough,  no  fire-place  ex- 
cept ill  the  overseer's  and  tjJerk's  hut's.  Their  huts  are  all 
fenced  in,  by  similar  split  slats  of  timber,  ten  or  twelve  feet 
long,  v/ilh  a  large  gate,  which  was  kept  locked,  only  when 
going  out  and  in.  The  huts  will  contain,  some  ten,  seme 
twenty,  nnd  sometimes  fifty  men — berths  all  round — two 
tier,  to  contain  one  man  each— no  floor;  they  are  built  in  a 
circle,  or  square,  leavings  ynrd  in  front  for  the  men  to  mus- 
ter. This  is  a  brief  description  of  the  prisoners  huts,  at  this, 
and  other  road  sltlioBS.  When  I  speak  of  station's,  hereaf- 
ter, I  need  not  describe  them.  There  are  a  great  number  of 
these  stations  on  the  Island;    the  principal  part  ore  on   the 


rATRlOT    KXILE. 


11 


ioule  from  Ilobart  Town  to  Laiinccston,  a  distance  of  147 
inilos;  nearly  from  one  end  of  the  Island  to  the  other.  There 
has  been  thousands  at  work  on  this  road,  for  eighteen  or 
twenty  years,  in  cutting  through  woods  and  hills;  when  wc 
left,  it  was  nearly  finished.  It  is  a  beautiful  road;  stages  run 
it  daily;  it  is  much  traveled.  At  those  diflerent  stations,  are 
road  parties,  some  fifty,  one  hundred,  and  two  hundred  men, 
all  the  work  is  done  by  hand,  no  teams  of  horses  or  cattle  aro 
allowed,  but  prisoners  do  all  the  hauling  of  stone  in  carts. — 
Some  places  aro  two  or  three  miles  from  the  hills,  some  pla- 
ces one  mile,  some  half  a  mile.  These  stone  aro  used  for 
macadamizeing.  Some  are  employed  in  drawing,  some 
breaking  them,  some  wheeling,  some  shoveling,  some  peck- 
ing, &c.  &C.      ..^;  ,«-'■'-•      -J  :■      .      '♦     -    t,..       ;. 

I  will  here  remark,  that  the  very  wor&t  of  characters  are 
selected  as  overseers,  at  the  different  road  stations.  I  men- 
tion this,  because  we  hereafter,  have  a  great  deal  to  do  at 
these  stations,  and  with  the  tyrants  that  manage  them.  I  will 
now  return. 

We  were  mustered  in  the  huts  for  night,  after  receiving 
a  pint  of  skilly  each,  and  each  one  a  blanket  and  rug,  a  suit 
of  coarse  gray  cloth,  striped  shirt,  leather  skull-caps,  all  num- 
bered, and  the  broad  "R,"  on  each,  everything  taken  from 
us,  money,  tobacco,  knives,  watches;  some  two  or  three  had 
managed  to  keep  them  till  now.  I  need  not  mention  articles, 
for  everything  was  taken.  We  are  now  in  a  convicts  suit. 
On  turning  out  early  in  the  morning,  at  the  ringing  of  the 
bell,  a  pint  of  skilly,  and  one  pound  of  bread  for  the  day. 
Tiie  clerk  came  round  to  each  room  and  told  us  to  appear  as 
well  as  possible;  the  Governor  was  coming  to  see  us  that 
morning.  It  was  about  ten  o'clock,  when  he  was  discovered 
approaching,  there  was  a  great  parade,  we  were  ranked  up 
in  quick  time,  with  ordei's  to  take  ofTour  caps,  as  ho  approach- 
ed. There  was  quite  a  train  with  him,  some  on  horse  back, 
nnd  some  on  foot.  I^resently'the  gate  was  opened,  and  all 
eyes  were  open  to  behold  a  Governor  of  her  Majesty's  penal 
colony,  Van  Dieman's  Land.  Behold  he  comes!  Capt.  Sir 
John  Franklin,  R.  N.  K,  T.  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the 
Island  of  Van  Piemon's  Land,  and  its  dependencies,  comman- 
der-in-chief of  her  Majesties  forces  therein,  &c.  &c.  7,'  '^ 

The  great  man  is  before  us — his  private  secretary   by  his 


<  •  •■> 


lill'^i 


7-2 


NAlinATlVi:  Ol'   A 


ciilcrint^  llie 


gau 


••  \ 


\'' 


i ' 


J-, 


l^' 


'I 


..1 


side — llic  rest  tjf  iho  train  .stopping  on 
Tlio  big  mill  is  seated  on  a  largo  bay  horyc,  but  no  larg* 
than  ills  rider;  lie  is  dressed  in  full  uniform,  no  doubt  fcclinj^ 
highly  honored  to  address  so  many  Americans.  Ho  rklc^ 
back  and  forth  along  the  line,  like  a  General  reviewing  jiis 
troops,  two  or  three  limes,  at  last  ho  halts  about  the/  qpnfcr. 
takes  a  long  breath,  draws  himself  iipi  mai<ingibp  great  mas 
of  corruption  and  wind,  appear  as  consequential  as  possible; 
all  eyes  were  upon  him,  expecting  whop  hp  opeiicdhis  moTjih 
to  hear  something  resembling  the  report  of  ahil/Ji-y,.  or,-<oi 
thunder,  for  he  was  as  big  as  a. large  thunder  Jbfoiid^'  nnd"  .be- 
ing her  Gracious  Majesty's  representative,  and  with  n,ll  agliii- 
ton,  for  we  were  informed  that  hp  devoured  a  sht'Vp"  cni;li 
meal.  His  head  thrown  back,  his  eyes  turned  tipward,  paftly 
closed,  nothin  j;  discernible  but  the  white,  resembling  two'large 
pealed  turnips — his  mouth  is  open — hark!  what  sounds  aro 
those  wc  hear?  The  first  words,  '^wcll  men,  (apparently  in 
distress,  fetching^g^lon^  ^ind.hj^Lvyjsjgiij,)  yo.u  havg  be^n  sent 
here  different  from  any  mon'eVef  beTbroy6u^'(aJieiavyj).uj}) 
1  don't  know  what  to  do  with  you,,  but  I  shall  seiiSf  immedi- 
ately home  for  orders,  (a  heavy  puff)  and  iri'the  mean  time, 
1  shall  see  fit  to  put  you  on  the  roads  on  probation,  (gasp- 
ing for  breath,)  and  your  term  of  probation  will  depend  u\- 
on  your  good  conduct,  for  I  tell  you  men,  good  conduct  shall 
he  rewardedf^*  putting  great  stress  on  shall  be  rewarded,  thai 
we  might  not  doubt  it;  but  we  not  only  doubted  it,  but  after 
wards  were  fully  convinced  that  it  was  a  downright  lie. 
(struggling  for  words,)  "I  am  glad  to  hear  that  your  moral 
characters  are  good,  that  none  of  you  have  ever  been  tried 
or  criminated  for  any  crimes  until  now,  and  regret  the  fust 
should  be  one  of  such  magnitude,  rebellion!  one  of  the  worst 
of  crimes  in  the  world.'*  Here,  at  the  word  rebellion,  Cnpt. 
Wood  remaiked,  "your  excellency,  many  of  them  are  United 
States  citizens.'*  "So  much  the  worse,  not  satisfied  with  the  | 
folly  of  Republican  institutions  in  their  own  country,  must 
endeavor  to  instill  it  into  the  hearts  of  the  Canadians,  who 
are  living  under  one  of  the  best  Grovemments  in  the  world. 
If  her  Gracious  Majesty  lacked  in  any  favours  towards  them. 
which,  however,  I  believe  she  has  not,  but  if  so,  they  might 
have  had  a  right  to  complain,  but  you  yankee  sympathisers 
must  expect  to  be  punished.     I  do  not  consider  the  poor  sini- 


U 


PATIIIOT  EXILE. 


a 


l>le  Canadiansi  especially,  the  French,  in  the  Lower  Province, 
80  much  to  blame,  for  they  have  been  excited  to  rebellion,  by 
you  Americans.  1  have  sent  them  to  a  different  place,  and 
kept  you  here,  for  severe  punishment,  (in  a  rage. )  Bad  men, 
very  bad  men,  though  your  characters  heretofore  might  havo 
been  good,  it  will  avail  you  nothing;  you  ore  now  in  a  penal 
colony  for  punishment;  it  will  all  depend  upon  your  future 
conduct;  but  I  shall  send  immediately  home  for  orders,  to 
know  what  to  do  with  you;  and  when  I  have  orders,  I  hope 
they  will  be  favorable,  for  I  feel  disposed  to  bo  lenient  towaixls 
you;  but  it  is  a  very  bad  crime,  it  is  a  very  bad  crime.  I 
believe  you  have  been  severely  punished,  but  you  ought  to  be 
thankful  that  your  lives  have  been  spared;  you  must  expect 
to  be  severely  punished,  (greatly  at  a  loss  for  words)  Bad 
men,  very  bad  men,  very  glad  to  hear  your  conduct  has  been 
good  during  your  passage.*'  Turning  to  iho  officers  of  the 
ship,  (who  were  present,  and  no  doubt  feeling  ashamed  of  tho 
great  mans  abuse,  and  low-brad  slang  to  us,)  he  asked  them, 
*'have  you  any  thing  ogainst  these  men,  during  the  passo get" 
(no  doubt  thinking  they  would  havecnoughngainst  us,  whilst 
wo  remained  under  them.)  They  at  once  replied,  "not  tho 
slightest,  your  excellency,  they  are  well  behaved  men." 
"Very  glad  to  hear  it,  very  glad  to  hear  it,  I  hope  they  will 
remains©."  The  Doctoi,  as  I  before  remarked,  appeared  to 
bo  friendly,  and  had  promised  before  landing,  that  ho  would 
speak  to  the  Governor  in  our  favor;  and  at  that  time,  as  the 
old  man  was  taking  breath,  he  began  to  say  something;  but 
as  quick  as  the  old  granny  discovered  his  object,  ho  raised 
his,  or  Aer  hand,  remarking,  ''that'll  do,  that'll  do,"  nppnrcnlly 
exhausted.  Thus  ended  ono  of  Governor  Franklin's  splend 
ed  speeches. 

Now  there  was  fifteen  or  twenty,  of  what  aro  called  "oM 
hands,"  Xhat  were  likewise  in  rank,  a  llltio  in  the  rear  of  us, 
and  as  the  old  man  had  turned  his  horse  a  little  one  side,  I 
heard  ono  of  them  remark  to  another:  "I  think  the  old  nuit- 
ton-eater,  will  want  as  many  as  two  sheep  for  his  dinner  to- 
day," "why,'*  says  ono,  "is  he  so  fond  of  mutton?"  "yes," 
says  he,  "ono  sheep  at  ordinary  times,  satisfies  him  for  a 
meal,  but  on  over  action,  like  this,  it  takes  two."  "I  should 
think  so,"  says  the  other,  "to  supply  tho  vacancy  in  the  loss 
of  so  much   wind."     "Mv  Uoodv  oath,"  aaid  another,  "ho 


1:  S 


•■A 


1./ 


M 


.' 


-f  . 


'A '  I  i 


I'i.- 


it] 


s- 


i«  liJ! 


■m 


>■  t 


ii 


(;v 


74 


NAABATlVfi  OV  A 


t.       r  I 


t 


''if 


I  * 


] 


i 


pufTed  and  blowod  liko  a  pprpoiso.*'  Tlio  Governor  then 
turned  to  the  four  men,  before  alluded  to,  as  bein^  sent  witii 
us,  three  for  murder,  and  one  for  desertion,  standing  by  them- 
selves. "What  men  are  these."  Mr.  Gunn  approached  with 
their  warrant  in  hand;  "they  ore  four  men  Ironi  Canada,  thrco 
for  murder,  one  for  desertion,  your  excellency."  "Ah!  al- 
almost  as  bad  as  rebellion:  read  the  warrant."  Mr.  Gunn 
read  it.  They  were  found  guilty  in  Canada,  and  sentenced 
to  seven  years  transportation.  The  old  man  talked  to  them 
a  little;  he  could  not  say  much,  for  he  was  nearly  exhausted, 
after  delivering  the  splendid  address  to  us. 
.,  Mr.  Skeane,  superintendant  of  the  station,  then  asked  tlio 
Governor  if  we  should  go  out  on  the  road  to  w6rk  that  day, 
as  it  was  about  noon.  "Oh  yes,  it  will  bo  good  for  their 
health,  after  so  long  a  voynge,  even  if  they  do  not^work  much 
to-day  the  walk  will  do  them  good.  If  will  be  much  better 
,for  them."  He  said  something  respecting  the  fine  clothing 
of  the  prisoners,  that  her  Gracious  Majesty  was  good  enough 
to  allow  us— hoped  \ye  would  be  thankful  for  it,  and  be  good 
men.  His  horse  I  felt  sorry  for,  standing  for  nearly  two 
hours,  supporting  an  enormous  mass  of  blubber  and  wind, 
weighing  [  should  think,  three  hundred  pounds:  but  I  suppose 
by  what  I  had  heard,  there  was  so  much  combustible  matter 
that  the  ?reat  mass  might  fall  a  little  short  in  weight,'you 
need  not  laugh,  for  I  assure  you  it  was  the  largest  lump  of 
human  composition  that  I  ever  beheld.  I  suppose  it  was  on 
account  of  his  bulkiness  and  knavery,  that  he  had  been  allow- 
ed such  great  honor  amongst  the  brother-hood;  I  am  sure  it 
was  not  on  account  of  fluency  of  speech.  The  horse  al- 
though a  large  one,  fairly  reals  as  he  moves  off. 

Now  reader,  what  should  you  judge  must  have  been  cm 
feelings,  when  the  very  officers  of  the  ship,  especially  the 
Doctor,  after  hearing  our  doom,  manifested  feelings  of  pity, 
mingled  with  disgust,  at  the  outrageous  abuse,  and  irony,  heap- 
ed upon  us  by  the  noble  Captain,  Sir  John  Franklin,  the  great 
navigator,  that  had  once  been  driven  to  tlie  necessity  of  eat 
ing  his  boots;  but  now  the  representative  of  ];er  Majesty's 
Penal  Colony,  V.  D.  L.,  Commander-in-chief,  &lc.  &c.  &. 
As  they  withdrew,  we  could  discover  their  sympathy,  by  their 
downward  heads,  and  the  handkerchief  to  the  eyes  of  some  as 
they  |)assed  by.     The  Doctor  shaking  luinds  wiiii  us,  remark- 


ng  in  a 

oil  into 

earful  y 

.veil  as 

•lioked— 

They  J 

0  us,    " 

lint-cup 

lors  for  I 

;now  his 

lumber 

!iat  he  m 

;on  from 

vhich  arc 

d  out,  fr( 

.;els  his  k 

lilt  has  th 

1  will  I) 

ach  man, 

oarls:     0 

n  the  rnoi 

dout,   nn 

•int.     No 

mongst  u; 

ach.      Kv 

ons  after 

irough  be 

lat  they    i 

vards  man 

ail  on  the 

nd  what  ii 

lie  comp 

y  con finer 

ire  back; 

'coived,  b 

11  lo  our  1 

»g  us  to  1 

ould  take 

y,  this," 

'an  Amori 

^■'e  have  g( 


PATRIOT  EXll.ir. 


lb 


ng  in  n  low  tone,  as  he  pasffcdon,  '*Inm  sorry  that  you  have 
Ai  into  snch  hands,  a[\>  ^utlr  'ing  so  long  and  severe.  I  nm 
earful  you  will  never  s.  h'i  native  land  again;  bear  it  as 
.veil  as  you  can — God  bless  you.*'  He  appeared  to  bo 
•hoked — wanted  to  say  more  but  could  not.  >  ', ' 

They  are  gone — the  gate  is  closed.  The  clerk  sings  out 
0  us,  "get  your  dinner  men,"  and  in  the  mean  time,  a  tin 
lint-cup,  and  u  tin  plate,  was  dealt  out  to  each  onO;  with  or- 
lors  for  us  to  put  our  number  on  them,  that  each  one  may 
;iiow  his  own.  Our  huts  were  likewise  numbered,  v/ith  the 
lumber  of  men  in  each  hut,  which  was  handed  to  the  cook, 
itnt  he  might  know  how  to  divide  the  vituals,  which  was  ta- 
;cn  from  n  large  copper,  set  in  an  arch,  and  put  in  kid's, 
vliich  are  likewise  numbered.  Presently  *no.  one,'  was  cri- 
d  out,  from  the  cook-house  A  man  starts  from  no.  one  hut, 
ets  iiis  kid;  no.  2,  no.  3,  no.  4,  no.  5,  and  so  on,  'till  each 
lilt  has  their  kid  with  dinner. 

I  will  hero  give  you  a  list  of  rations,  allowed  by  law,  to 
ach  mun,  which  will  be  a  sample  during  our  stay  on  the 
oarls:  One  and  a  half  lbs.  bread,  (coarse  flo6fr,)  dealt  out 
n  the  morning,  for  iho  day;  two  oz.  flour  permaji,  weigh- 
d  out,  and  made  into  skilly,  measured  out  to  each  one,  a 
int.  Noon — one  lb.  mutton,  before  boiled;  when  divided 
mongst  us,  thcro  was  often  not  over  one  fourth  of  a  pound 
ach.  F^ivening — pint  of  skilly,  similar  to  gruel.  The  ra- 
i>ns  after  being  weighed  out,  have  so  many  hands  to  pass 

Hough  before  they  get  to  the  prisoners,  or  laboring  men. 
Kit  they  often  fall  short  half.  The  clerk's,  constable's, 
vards  man,  overseer's  and  some  other  favorite  one's,  that 
uiton  thorn,  have  their  choice  of  the  quantity  weighed  out, 
nd  what  is  left,  the  poor  convict  has  to  take  up  with;  and 
he  complains,  is  sure  to  be  punished  with  ten  days  solita* 
y  confinement  on  bread  and  water,  or  thirty  lashes  on  the 
art'  back;  which  lashes,  iiowever,  none  of  our  party  ever 
'ccived,  but  solitary  confinomenton  bread  and  water,  often 

II  to  our  lot.  But  to  proceed.  A  man  comes  round,  tel- 
ng  us  to  hurry  and  get  through  with  our  dinner,  and  we 
ould  take  a  short  wajk  to  sec  the  country,  "A  fine  coun- 
7,  this,''  says  he,    *'l  think  you  will  like   it  much  better 

an  America;  we'll  go  out  and  take  a  look  at  the  roads. 
^^'u  have  got  a  fine  road  of  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  as 


«     i 


h  ■ 


<   . 


'• 


w 


NAHBATIVft  or  A 


U 


good  as  any  you  have  in  your  country,  Til  bo  bo'ind  ii  is; 
it  is  not  quite  finished   yet,  but  soon  will  bf;."     lie  talked 
Romo  lime  nficr  this  manner,  and  appeared  quite  sociable. 
Presently  the  clerk  sings  out,  **mu8ter."     We  were  all  rank- 
cJ  up,  and  the  <9amo  list  of  names  called  rver.     We  were 
ordered  to  answer  as   they  were  called,  saying,  «*hcre  sir." 
Some  two  or  three  not  answering^  he  was  told  that  they  wero 
in  the  huts,  unable  to  come  out.     lie  repaired    strnight/vay 
to  .the  huts,  calling  their  names,  and  was  told  that  they  were 
lame  or  sick,     '♦You  had  better  come  out,  tho  Doctor  will 
he  here  soon,  and  if  you  arc  not  sick,  you  will  be  punished.*' 
However  there  wcic  three  or  four,  who  could  >^ot  go,  and 
many  that  did  go  out,  were  scarcely  able  to  wall<.     The  gate 
wa«  opened  and    we  marched  out,  three   overroers  and  five 
or  six  constables  with  us;  we  traveled  near  a  mile,  when  wo 
came  to  where  a  party  had  been  at  work,  who  had  been  re- 
moved from  that  station  a  few  days  before,  (I  think  it  was 
the  day  before,)  for  our  reception.     *»Thero,"  .s.tysthe  over- 
Beer,  '*you  know  tho  Governor  told  you   it  would  be  good 
for  your  hQaltb,  after  being  so  long  at  sea,  to  cxer.ise  a  lit- 
tle; you  need  not  do  much  to-day/'    Now  all  thmgs  op- 
pcared  so  flattering,  the  oversder's  so  sociable.     We  thought 
a  little  exercise  would  do  us  no  harm.   We  leasurly  picked  up 
some  a  shovel,  some  a  pick-ax,  so-nea  wheelbarrow,  work- 
ed a  little  while,  and  then  set  down   to  rest,  for  wo  wero 
all  very  weak  and  feeble,  on  account  of  l>cing  so  long  con- 
fined.   That  after  noon  passed  off  very  well      At  sun  down 
we  marched  into  the  station,  somewhat  tired,  though  we  had 
done  but  little  that  day.     The  ground  seonoed  to  be  reeling 
to  and  fro,  like  a  drunken  man,  for  a  number  of  days.     The 
traveling  to  and  from  work,  was  about  as  much  as  we  could 
do,  for  the  first  two  or  three  days,  during  which  lime  there 
was  not  much  work  required;  afterwards  the  reins  began 
lo  be  pulled  lighter  by  degrees.  Every  day  a  little  more  work 
was  requiited,  the  principal  overseer  was  a  pardoned   felon, 
and  a  complete  tiger,  which  enabled    him  to  hold  the    billot 
from  year  to  yeor.     Many  is   the  poor  man  who  has  been 
driven  to  desperation  and  a  felon's  grave,  through  his  ty- 
rany.     These  are  the  kind  of  men,  the  Governor  wants  for 
overseers;  if  they  prove  not  to  be  tyrants,  they  are  quickly 
removed  from  their  ofpce,  and  put  in  the  gangs  to  work;  for 


PATniOT   EXtLC. 


T*i- 


aH  the  overseers  arc  convicts.     If  ihey  prove  to  bo  tyrants,''^ 
and   got   A  groat  deal    uf  woik    donu*  and  men  rrcquentl/^ 
brought  but'orotic  iVlugivtraic  lur  disobedience  of  orders,  that 
the   cells*    triangie^i  and    llugilator,  miy   be  occupied,  they^ 
can  hold  the  otHjo  for  ti  long  time.     'IMiesc  overseers   havo  ^ 
masters  over  ilioin,  such  as  a  siiporintcndant,  to  each  station;  * 
a  free  man,  with  a  salary;  but  ihey  likewise  are  liablo  to  bei , 
removed  by  the  principal  supcrint^ndanlof  road<,  or  in  other'' 
woixili,  the  king  oflyianls,  whose  salary  is    high.     Now  wo" 
have,  with  a  tyrannical  Governor,  a  tyrant  principal  superin- ' 
lendant — tyrannical  petty  mngistrutes;  tyranicalsupcrintend- 
untof  stations— overseers  and  constables,   in   abund  mce,  of 
the  same  stamp — Doctors  and  Parsons,  (with  groat  salary's)  1 
apparently  all   combined  to  crush  the  poor  unfortunate  pris-'' 
vners.  It  is  on  account  of  the  tyranny  of  such  characters,  that, 
ihousands  become  prisoners  or  slaves  in  England,  as  well  as 
Von  DicnTan'sLand.  7 

Oh  how  my  heart  yearns  over  the  unfortunate  poor  slave* 
of  happy  Kngland,  as  well  as  those  of  color  that  were  planted 
by  them,  on  our  shores,  and  continue  to  be  hold  by  men  of  the 
same  stamp — lovers  of  pleasure,  heady,   high-minded,   cov^'^ 
tous,  over-bearing,  lovers  of  gold  obtainq^i  by  the   blood  ahd 
i(»\  of  their  fellow  man.      Oh  !    the  old  aristocratic  chain? 
What  will  be  done  to  prevent  its  completly  encircling  URt;' 
that  we  cannot  move  hand  or   foot.     Oh!  that   the  people,*'' 
would  arise  and  assert  theii  rights!    It  will  continue  to  length-'^ 
cii  and  strengthen,  as  long  os  you  quietly  submit. 

Here  the  question  may  be  asked;  why  did  you   submit  to  ' 
the  tyrants?     If  I  had  been  there,  1  would  have  done  differ- ':' 
eiit.     The  fact  is,    we  were  deserted  by  our  friends  in  timo 
of  danger;  when  we  most  needed  them,  they  were  not  to  bo  ^ 
found;  we  were  in  the  lion's  grasp,  and  there   left  to  be  do-^^ 
voured,  and  I  have  often  thought  that  being  so  longgnawedi 
mangled  and  torn,   that  our  escape  has  been  as  wonder-*'' 
ful  as  Daniel's  from  the  Lions  Den.     Permit  me  to  answer "^^ 
you,   and    I  say  it  without  hesitating,  I  am  fully   convinced'  | 
that  the  men  who  have  suffered  so  much  for  the  crime  of 
taking  up  arms  in  favor  of  liberty,  and  against  tyrany,  an^'* 
the  last  men  to  flinch  in  time  of  danger,  and  in  a  good" 
aause,  and  notwithstanding  our  long  and  severe  sufferings,^' 
7 


'    » 


'( 


t.| 


■  i 


m 


'  «v 


*  * 


•  \ 


I 


, 


. 


(' 


• 


I 


1.    ' 

I 


" 


?^    •«» 


1 


it: 


I 


A 


I 


Wf 

m 


T»\ 


NAURATIVB  OP  A« 


nqjt*a,mnn  wos  ovor  hpa>vO  to  »ay,  that  the  cniASt  welind  c^poift* 
sed  •  vvos  bud,  ot*  that  hq  wa8  surry  ho  hnd  eitpoust  d  it;  w^ 
W4^r^  oiily  ^)Orry.  lor  tho  fniiuro.  Now  in  sdbtniiiiug  toAvork 
on.tho  roadsf  «w  w(  w£)a'o  situatml  at  thoi  tiino,  you  iJiny  bet 
aasurofi  wo  did  what  we  coiusidored  for  thobost;  wo  were 
■tr;ingors  in  a  strnnigo  land,  not  knowing  onr dostiiiyJVom  one 
dfliy  t^^  another;  we  hnd  not  mud)  tiirio  to  consider,  aiKJ  if  w* 
had  kjiown  what  our  Pate  afterwards  proved  to  be,  not  a  man- 
Wjpiuld  have  raised  a  fingorto  worK  onil»rir  nmds;  we  (tcrtnin- 
ly.^l^ught  we  would  not  belong  allowc  lo  ronuiin  (ui  the  roadfl» 
If  yoa  could  only  know  tho  flatiory  red  deception  u.^eii  by  th» 
tjranlsjn  power,  (as  well  in  I'iiif^l.UH,  as  in  that  place)  llioc 
pUrns,  intrigues  and  means  rewrted  to,  to  Uee[>  the  upper' 
hands,  and  to  grind  ibo  po.>'*  n,  ison<-r  \a  the  dust,  you  nii^ht 
th^n  say,  *'well,  I  do  not  kir  w  as  I  could  have  done  any  dif- 
fercnl  in  your  .sitiiation."  Now,  ns  gloomy  as  thd  projipect 
was,  of  our  subduing  this  nnrr  v  r-as  l)nndini,  or  den  oT  thieveis. 
(I  mean  the  principil  and  Ici  i,  ones,  whi«th  comprise  noar- 
I^.aJl  th(^t  hold  ollicej  if  we  lia  have  had  enca  one  ofusia 
rii()|»,  we  would  have.  tik,en  the  L> ash,  and  made  it  awarnJDg 
to.  ihfl.p. 

;  The  second  day,  Skoan,  the  superintendnnt  of  that  station^ 
COmeS'Outbut  says  little,  next  day  he  comes  o gain,  and  says 
taTpo)  Hewit,  the  overseer:  '-it  seems  lo  me,  you  do  not  got 
alppg  very  fast."  "Sir"  says  he, ''the  men  are  niaiy  of 
th©m  sick,"  ''Well,"  says  the  supcrintendant,  "I  will  send 
the  Doctor,  and  see  if  your  gai  g  of  laboring  men  can't  bo  ad- 
ded to  n  little."  Thn  Doctor  appe^ars — inquires  into  the 
cause  of  complaint,  but  to  nearly  all  he  replied,  *'oh  nonsense, 
PJl  give  you  a  few  pills,  tako  tw.o  each  night  for  a  week, 
a^di  yf>u  can  commence  work  to-morrow."  To-morrow  comes 
and  eight  or  ten  am  dnven  out,  scarcely  nblo  to  move. 
"MfelU"  says  Tom  Hewit,  *'I  have  got  a  pretty  ;  good  gang 
to-day;  1  think  I  can  have  some  work  done;, the  Super,  will 
ba  here  this  after  nooD»  and  hei\Yil]  iind  fault;  he  already  sayp 
th|9re  is  not  much  work  done.  The  principal  superintend- 
ai^^,of  roads  says  he  don*t  ihink.  you  men  will  bo  prisoners 
lo^g,  and  he, is  in  a  hurry  to  .have  th^^J  pari  of  the  road  finiahh 
ed^it  has  been  along  while  going;  likrwlse  tbe  Governor  is 
in^hj4rr)(^;o.iiayo .it,fiaisl\^j  and.a^opd  many  other  gentle- 


it;  w« 
lo  work 
iinv  bet 

m 

0  \vcn» 
I'oin  01)6 
mJ  if  w* 
t  a  maO' 
certain" 
ticniadfl» 
ul  hy  lh» 
rico)  ill* 
he  uppef' 
III  riiight 
any  dif* 
)>ios»pect 
r  th'mvea,. 
'ise  noar- 
)  of  us 'a 
warning 

It  simioiH 
ind  says 
o  not  got 
ninny  of 
m\\  send 
[I't  bo  «d- 

into  the 
lonsense, 

a  week, 

|w  comes 

move. 

>d  gang 
er.  will 

idy  say? 
^intend- 
risonera 

finiahf' 
lornor  i» 

genUe- 


m 

riTRIOT  EXILE.  70 

mort  nro  romplaihing  6f  the  Icngtli  of  time  I  have  been  tj^ 
wofk  on  this  jiiecc  oi*  road.     My  bloody  eyi*.,  \i  will  nevef. 
do,  I  shall  bo  br- ko  of  my   billot.     Come  seowbatwo  c^H. 
h4ve  done  agninst  tlio  super  c  >tnos.     C«'in'^   nil  imnds,  if  tho 
Dotior  says  yoii  are  al)lo  I »  work,  you  in    ^l  work.     I  am  eXn 
p-^(tlcd  to  have  work  done  ncc  nding  lo  ?lu- nuniberof  bands.",. 
We  were  divided  ar'>und  wi;b  )iit  any  roL'tini  lo  size  or  ability 
to  pcnorni  heavy    lahor — bonie  lo  wheeling,  some  peeking)  , 
sjnio shoveling,  some  at  ciris.     It  is  beginning  lo  be  hurry*  , 
ing  limes.     Sonie  ol'  thciso  who  were  not  well,  asked  thn  privt , 
iiege  of  being  tnkcn  (;!!'  iVom  drawing  carls;  after  ho  diacof:  , 
ci*ed  that  some   ihrre  or  four  were    near   fainting,    he  sMiye,, 
"who  are  ifn^sc   niehiliatarc  ..'nalids,  that   ibe  l)octor  sent, 
out   this  njorniiig;  lot  ihrm  sip[)  forward,  that  I  may    knovK 
who  ihey    arc."     ]\rysoir,   wilh   seven  others  stepping  out.  ' 
•'You  can  go  lo    break  in*]:  siiuie  lo-day,  but  to-morrow  you 
must  do  other    work,    for  I  d  )n't   want   siono  broken  yet.";  , 
Now  this  was  considercdliglil  work,  and  so  it  was,  comparts 
cd  tb  others,  but  lo  mo  it  was  verv  bad  work,  the  dirt  from 
the  stone,  and  constant  iviolion  with  the  hammer,  wasincreaSi ' 
ing  the   pain  in  my  hrensf,  and  it  was  wilh  much  diiljcnUy, 
thai  1  stood  it  until  n'ghf  j  when  I  was  very  tired  and  hungry. 

Next  njorning  at  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  which  was  be- 
fore sun-rise,  all  hands  turned  out  and  took  their  pintofskil-;. 
ly.  Our  names  arc  called  over  by  tho  clerk,  ranked  up  ai^i;  * 
marched  to  our  work;  willi  very  few  exceptions,  none  wer^., 
allowed  to  stay  back;  they  must  bo  very  sick  or  lame,  to  be., 
allowed  to  stop  in;  those  that  d'd  slop  were  invariably  abus^ . 
edand  insulted  by  clerks  and  other  lackies.  The  huts  were  i 
go  miserable,  and  no  accommodaiions  for  cither  sick  or  welli . 
that  many  who  were  not  nblo  lo  work,  have  prefered  going, j 
out  with  the  gang  than  to  stop  in. 

Now  the  barrows  and  carls  are  ordered  to  be  loaded  alittUn 
heavier.  The  boxes  o(  the  carts  were  six  feet  in  lengtl^l, 
fotli'  and  a  half  feet  wide,  and  nearly  two  feet  in  depth;  they ;, 
must  be  filled,  invariably,  no  difference  whether  with  dirt  Of^o 
stone.  Four  men  are  allowed  to  each  cart — no  reiitihg  lir.  ,> 
lowed— but' all  hands  must  be  constantly  moving,  nomattoi^i 
hotv  muddy,  rain  or  shine,  the  roads  must  be  mad^.j  ;  I  thill;  >, 
it  wii6  on  the  fifth  day,  Lysander  Curtis,  together  with  feven 


\>  1. 


.V         \ 


*•    I 


X  f-^ 


i 


m 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


* » 


^1 


or  eight  others,  were  wheeling  on  a  *'run,"  as  it  was  called^ 
thdt  ii)  one  wheeling  the  barrow  until  ho  meets  another  com* 
irtg  bttck   with   an  empty  one,    who   leaves   the  loadud  and 
takes  the  empty  one,  till  he  meets  one  loaded,  und  soon.     I 
was,  and  hnd  been,  during  the  day,  until  the    middie  of  the 
after  noon,  wheeling  to  Mr.  Curtis.     He  hnd  not    been  well 
during  some  weeks;  he  told  tno  that  he  could  not  stand  it,  that 
he  Tell  very  bad.     1  told  him  to  spcnk  to  the  ovorioer,  but  ho 
kept  on  wheeling — I  discovered  that  ho  was  last  lulling;  I 
again  requested  him  to  speak  {^tr  permission  to  stop.     Ho  said 
that  he  new  it  wis  of  no  use  \o  ask  the  brute,  but  at  1  isi  was 
compelled  to  do  so.     Tom  replied  with  an  oath,  ^Hhat  he  did 
not  care;  he  was  sent   out   by  the   Doctor,  and  ho  should 
wheel  it  or  die  by  it,  he  did  not  care  which  "     1  was  listen*- 
-ing,  tearing  something  of  tho  kind;  I  immediately  spoke,  tel> 
ling  him  that  Mr.  Curtis  was  very  bad,  that  he  had  beci!  sick 
eomo  time  previous,  and  at  landing,  that  I  knew  ho  was  una* 
ble  todo  the  work  imposed  upon  him.     Some  others  spoka  to 
the  same  effect.     Tom  Hewit  replied,  "do  you  think  thai  you 
know  better   than  the  Doctor,   wheti.er  ho  is  sick  or  not.^ 
We  told  him,  whether  he  or  the  Doctor  knew  it  or  not,  wo 
were  sure  Curtis  was  not  able  to  do  the  work,  and  begged  ho 
might  be  allowed  to  go  into  the  station;  he  could  scarcely 
stand,  but  was  commanded  to  wheel  on.     We  were  all  tired, 
myself  quite  unwell,   having  a  high  lever  produced  by  tho 
sufferings,   with  tho  ])ain   in   my  breast.     1  could   scarcely 
walk  with  the  loaded  barrow,  but  we  managed  so  that  Curtis 
would  have  but   two  or  three  paces  to  wheel  it,  however,  ho 
■oon  sat  or  rath.r  fell  on  to  the  barrow.     We  took  hold  of 
hhn,  for  he  could  not  raise  himself,  and   laid  him   on  the 
ground,  at  the   same   timo   a  man   bringing  his  coat  to  put 
under  him.     It  then  wanted  an  hour  and  a  half  of  suii-down; 
we  asked  Tom  Hewit  if  we  could  not  be  allowed  to  toko  the 
cart  and  carry  him  in.     *'No,  dam  it,  suro  he  won't  die  bo» 
fore  quitting  time."     We  spoke  two  or  three  times  for  tho 
privilege  of  taking  hirti  in,  but  were  not  allowed.     He  lay 
on  the  ground  until  thei  gang  quit  work,  which  was  not  until 
f|uUe  dusk;  we  then  drew  him  to  the  staiion  in  a  cart;  he  bo* 
kinged  in  tho  same  hut  that  I  did.     There  was  no  care  taken 
of  him  that  night;  the  Doctor  not  living  on  the  station,  vm 


liv' 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


ailed, 

com* 

d  and  . 

n.     1 

oftho 

1  well 

t,  that 

but  he 

ling;  1 

io  said 

St  was 

he  did 

{>l)ould 

hsten- 

ko,  tel- 

ci!  sick 

;is  una» 

poki  to 

hat  you 

r  not.** 

not,  we 

gged  he 

curcely 

U  tired, 
by  the 

icarcely 
Curtis 
ver,  he 
hold  of 
oil  the 
t  to  put 
i-down; 
lako  the 
idie  be^ 
for  the 
lie  lay 
lot  until 
I,  he  be- 
-e  taken 
»n,  viw 


81 

not  called  until  morninsf,  alihougli  miny  of  us  requested  the 
clerk  to  call  hini.     I  did  n()tslee|)  a  wii^k  thai  night,  although 
very  lired.     There  we  wcro,  in  a  Haiii[>,  cold    hut,    without 
any  fire,  and   the    niglils  very  cold,   though  the .  days  were 
warm;  it  was  in  Febru  iry,  the  last  summer  month,  (ior  you 
must  know  that  it  is  winter  there,  when  it  is  summer  h«re;) 
there  he  and  myself  were,  cold,  himqry  and   tired — no  be^, 
and  no  light.    1  watched  by  him,  as  lie  hiy  on  the  boards^  d<|- 
ring  the  night;  two  or  three  limes,  I  (xpccied  ho  wis  dyingj 
he  was  very  sick.      At  last  morninj;comeb — the  boll  rings — 
the  door  is  unlocked  by  llic  scniry,  ulio  stands  watch  out-side 
the  lints,  during  the  niglit.     "flow  is  iliat  s'ck  man,"  sings 
out  the  clork.     On   being  answfjrrd, '"well  never  mind,  onp 
dead  mnn  is  notliinpf;  gut  your  skilly,   all  linnds.     1  suppose 
that  sick  man    will  hnvo  to  slop  in  tod  ly,  if  he's  like  to  die; 
I    will  send  him  to  the  hospilJij.      Wo  had  a  few   minutes  10 
talk,  but  he  could  not  say  much;  he  s;iid    he  sliould  not   live 
long.     "Oh  the  poor  pri'>:oners!  Oh!  Kiiglnndl    ryr.inls!  Ty- 
rants! Oil!  I    wish  Cfinadi  wn«r-    free  from  tliom!    Oli!  I  wish 
you  wore  all  out   of  ihoir   hnnds.     'Jlinnk  ihe    l^ord   I  shall 
eoon  be.     (sliakir.g  hands  with  ns  mmy  rs  cniiJd  got  to  hinn) 
*'God  bless  you,  i  shall  not  see  \o\i  again  this  side  ofiieaven, 
I  feel  as  if  tlio  Lord  \\as  doing  mo  a  grcnt   favnr,  in  taking 
mo  out  of  the  liands  of  these  tymnts.     Oh!  if  the  peoj)le  had 
turned  out  to   help  us  as  llioy  ngrerd  to,  \vc   would  not  havo 
been  doomrd  to  so   much  suill-ririgs,  bit,  bvif,"  as-  the  word 
musicr  all  hands,  "tel!  my  wife  and  cliiMren  1  die  happy." 
we  wore  hurriedaw.y,  and  iicvrr  s'mv  him    more,      llo  wae 
taken  that  day  to  the  gnner.-il  hispital.  in  llolnrt  I'own,  one 
mile  from  our  staiion.      Wo  a!iorw,irds  learned  ihril  ho  lived 
three  days  after  leaving  our  s!ali<»n.     Some  of  us  requested 
the  privilege  of  going  to  si^e  him.  bti?  were  refused.        • 
''"It  is  imposr.iblo   for  me  to  rclato   cvoi-y    circumstnnco  that 
occurod  during  our  stay  at  thai  plac^;  the  incroise  of  labor, 
abuse  and  tyranny  of  the  ovor«eers,  and  tlie  scantiiipps  of  ra- 
tions, and  poornoiis  of  (piality;  lor  our  meat  was  uuiilon,  sup- 
plied by  ;-ontraci,,  and  the  sptilors  \v"nli1  select  the  oMest,  out 
of  perhaps,  ^l),!^)!)  head,  no  matter  if  they  were  poor  and  ju^t 
ready  to  have    lainb>;    they  would  kill    them    to  keep  thoip 
from  dying,  t )  furnish  road  stations  with,    they  wcro   good- 


« 


m 


I 


,.  > 


n 


y 


I     ! 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


i     ^/|.-.      (     r< 


enough  for  prisoners.     I   say  prisoners,  we   wore  not  onlr 

Brisoners,  but  J^laves,  in  every  sense  ol  the  word.  We  were 
ireatenfd  with  tho  cat  o'niiie  l.iil>;  but  we  ngrced  ihnt  if 
^ver  we  were  floged,  ns  we  had  seen  many  of  the  old  hands, 
death  should  follow  immediately,  on  ihe  first  attempt.  One 
day  the  carts  were  loaded  so  heavy,  it  wns  impossible  for  ua 
to  draw  them;  the  overseer  said  if  we  did  not,  we  would  all 
tie  flogged;  we  !old  him  nota  man  of  us  would  stand  it.  'WhyV 
iaid  he,  "because,  we  arc  doing  all  we  ciri,  to  keep  out  of 
trouble,  and  you  seem  to  bo  doing  all  you  can  to  gel  us  in  to 
trouble."  *'VVhat  will  you  do,  if  you  should  bo  flogged?** 
'We  told  him  at  once,  that  every  man  would  fight  uiiiil  ho 
died.  "Well,  say  you  wont  draw  ihcm  carts."  Now  we 
had  told  him  we  could  not,  but  he  wanted  us  to  say  wo  would 
not,  that  he  could  take  us  before  the  mgisirae,  !(..  disobe- 
dience of  orders.  Hundreds  have  been  driven  to  say,  '"ihoy 
will  not;"  the  consequence  is,  sixty  lashes,  and  senl  iinmo* 
dialely  to  work,  with  their  backs  bleeding,  Jind  tho  overseer 
dllowed  to  tyrannize  over  them,  and  drive  and  starve  tliem,  to 
■uch  a  degree  thai  they  are  obliged  to  take  the  IJush,  They 
are  ihen  advertised,  and  if  taken  alive,  the  gallows  is  sure 
to  end  their  dnvs,  or  ye.trs,  of  slavrv.  One  thousand  five 
hundred,  tjnder  smiilar  c:rcumst'»nces,  sufl'erod  upon  the  gal- 
lows, during  bloody  y\rlhurs  cruel  reign,  of  eleven  years, 
|)revious  to  his  being  sent  to  Canada,  to  put  things  lo  r  £:hl9 
there.  But  I  was  speakir:g  of  the  carts  boing  so  heavily 
loaded,  ii  being  very  tnuddy  at  th'it  time.  We  were  comj)el- 
led  to  tell  him  we  would  not  draw  them;  at  the  same  time, 
'telling  him  we  ronlil  not.  ''That'll  do,"  c'illing  >on)e  con- 
•tables,  whose  huts  were  close  by;  ''hero  take  these  nun  lo 
the  watch-house.*'  Eleven  of  us  were  mru'ched  off — iny  in 
the  cells  twenty-four  hours,  and  were  then  taken  heforo  a 
mngistrate.  Tom  appenrs  us  only  witness.  "Well,  Mr. 
Hewjt,  what  is  the  compliint  against  these  men?"  "Diso- 
bedience of  orders,  sir;  they  refused  to  work,  sir  "  M.-igig- 
trate.  "Refuse  lo  work,  do  ihey?"  We  tlun  attenipled  to 
tc!l  him  the  reason.  "That'll  do,  that'll  do;  the  risoner 
always  pleads  not  guilty;  not  a  word,  not  a  word;  Mr.  Ilew- 
ft  is  considered  a  good  o*  e'"seer;  I  shall  on'y  sentence  you  to 
seven  davs  solitary  confinement  on   bread  and  water,  as  this 


w; 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


^ 


ii  the  fi'st  oflfetico;  constftt)les,  take  them  nway."  Thf^, 
reader,  is  what  is  uilleJ  a«ample  of  good  Goverrrmeilt,  in 
Van  Dierrmn's  L  nd.  •  .  i   i'>  '    -^^ 

Those  nre  the  kind  «>r  mnn,  thnt  for  a  paltry  sum  and  fbr 
(the  name  of  holdi^r»g  office  undf>r  the  crown,  are  sent  to  that 
(Country  lo  grind  to  the  dusi,  the  poor  of  England.  Thoa- 
i«and«  yenrly,  are  torn  away  from  their  friends  and  nitive 
Jnnd;  (or  whfit?  fo"  the  very  same  renson  that  hundreds  ate 
obliged  to  tfike  the  Bush;  hiindredsand  thousands  starved  and 
'Worked  to  death;  the  Doctors  of  course,  have  the  privilege 
of  their  i)odics,  for  dissecti<in;  the  pieces,  perhnps,  of  five  or 
«ix  dilF  rent  hodic-s  are  put  into  a  rough  l)ox,  thrown  care- 
lessly ill  to  a  hole,  cnrlcsssly  covered  up.  The  stranger  may 
>Como  alon?  and  enquire,  "who  is  buried  there;"  the  nnswier 
»inoy  be,  "oh.  no  hody  hut  prisoners;  that  is  where  they  bury 
convicts."  The  gentlemen  h.Mve  a  burying-grouud  i)y  ihem- 
•elves.  Iflhenue^tion  wnsaskf  d  me,  "who  lies  buried  tb?re," 
I  Khoiiid  answi'r  after  this  mniiner:  ''These  are  what  are 
called  convicts;  their  parents,  perhnps  were  born  poor,  and 
•were  obliged  to  work  for  a  shilling  n  day,  nnd  having  a  Qimi- 
ly  of  perhaps,  seven  or  eight,  children;  to  keep  them  from 
starving,  are  finally  driven  lo  the  necessity  of  bewrging  or  steal- 
ing, begging  being  a  poor  business,  ihey  nre  finally  obliged  to 
eteal;  whv'M»eL:aiise  their  children  are  stnrvinsr-  These  are 
the  ponr  men  nnd  women  of  hnppy  old  England,  who  have 
been  doomed  to  a  life  of  horrible  sufferirig;  and  at  last  to 
death;  and  after  being  cut  in  pipces  by  surgeons,  are  tumbled 
into  hoxos  nnd  hurriedly  covered  up,  n-it  nt  all  sutficient  for  a 
decent  burial;  wh\?  because  ihey  nre  ccnvicts." 

Our  seiitoiice  in  the  sells,  having  expired,  we  were  sent 
directlv  to  work,  with  the  gang,  very  weak  and  poor,  hav- 
ing had  nothing,  during  our  slay  in  the  cel:s,  but  bread  and 
water.  It  began  to  bp  vvh'S|)ered  around  that  if  this  nbusB  and 
tyranny  continued,  not  a  man  will  be  alive  at  the  end  of  six 
months.  We  had  mavle  inquiiy  respecting  those  that  had 
left  Canada,  for  trnnsporiation.  a  short  lime  before  us,  artd 
found  liiey  had  arrived  n  few  weeks  before  us;  th'i"*  party 
hnd  come  bv  the  way  of  England.  It  con.sisted  of  Benjamin 
Wait.  Samuel  Chandler  Alexander  McLeod.  John  Vernon, 
John  McNulty,  James    Wagoner,   K  .man  Malery,  George 


li* 


;) 

! 

■  ,  1 

\ 

f: 

i* 

• 

in  « 


i     .  '8 


1,1 


ii^i  ^ 


M 


NAHRATIVE  OF  A 


Iff  Cno\ey  and  Q.arret  VanCamp,  who  hnd  arrived  in  the  ship 
,MqrqvtiS|  pr  Ho-stings,  and  had  hoen  assigned  to  iho  soliera^ : 

Lvnus  W.  Miller,  John  Grant,  Jnnies  (iar,nel  and  Jadbb 
.Beonjer,  had,  arrived  nboul  five,  weeks  bolore  usj  andlliko 
^Oj^^plves,  were  put  to  work  on  vbo,,  roads.  Miller^  Grant 
and,G:imeI,  from  the  shi|>  Canton,  had  been  sent  to  a  road 
station  about  ten  rniles  from  ys.  On  hearing  ofour  arrival, 
they  requcstod  perniission  to.be  sent  to  the  station  with  US| 
but  were  told,,  '"they  had  beiic:\»tay  wh0re  iliey  wero,  for  wo 
wpremarked  for  severe  trenimenl/'  They  replied, ''ihey 
had  mu(Jh  rather  be  with  their  countrymen,  f>vcn  ifilierreat- 
inent  was  worse,  than  remain  with  the  old  i>aiMJ?*,"  asihose 
\yoi'Q  C'lllcd,  who- had  been  there  twelve  monihs.  Their  re- 
quest was  granted  niter  wo  had  been  al^our  station  about  three 
weeks;  and  woJian  tJjo  ploastue  of  shaking  hands  wiih  ihoso 
three  warin^h^rU^d  patriots,  whose  ifuderiigs  had  been  se- 
vere, and  now  with  us,  there  was  no  prospect  of  their  be- 
coming lighter.  Vye  soon  received,  not  only  i heir  history, 
but  also  of  those  .wiio  were  on  loan  to  ihesptlers.  Wo  heard 
of  the  death  ofVariCam|),  McNully  and  McLeoth  also  ofibo 
conduct  of  ihejtr/iifor,  Jacob  Uoenier,  who  was  ihen  (;a:  sta- 
ble. Mr,  iMiller.  Mr.  Grant  and  Mr.  Gnmeh  soon  found  it 
true  respecting  our  treatment.  Why  i>ur  ships  company 
were  selected  for  spvero  tiealinont  there,  afier  sufifering  so 
long  anil  severe,  before  geuing  there,  is  what  i  cmnutsay; 
unless  it  w.is  becius:.'  Arthur,  not  b  ing  allowed  to  inurdor 
us  all,  in  Canada;  had  sent  to  Franixliii,  to  murder  us  there, 
OMt  ors|)ile;  for  I  i^n.  sure,  that  bL't\^<?c.n.  tlioni  both,  tl>o  work 
was  \ery  nearly  accomplished. -,    rr.n!  V/  '  .•.-  r! 


.i  t. 


^  ^!  I  ......... 

^.  About  a  week  after  the  death  of  Curtis;  \\  illi;im  Xoitago 
was  cruelly  mangle'jl,  by,  hiast  ng  rocks,  and  was  obliged  to 
bc,taken  lo  iheliospital;  he  lived  seven  d't\s.  •  ,vff  .  ,.[i  ^.  i 
Four  in?n  now  lojk  iho  Uiish;  Iloivu'O  C>nl'»y,  .Jacob 
Paddoc  WilliMm  Uayn.ilds  and  Michael,  Murrav;  after  wan- 
dering about,  living  on  roots  and  shell  fi-vh  or  muscles,  picked 
up  along  th'e  hcacli,  an  \  sleej^ing  in  thp  woods,  lor  two  week?, 
they  were  talceji,  trie!  fn*  absconding,  and  senl<'iiced  for  two 
years,  lo  Port  ArihuJ",  whi(?^^!|  isconsidciod  tho  worst  placfion 
the  Isl'ind.r-.i   .fo.^Jn?/    «^^p.-.^,(A    .fr.a.r.pp{')  Uii,r,'>-^'  .ticV/ 

\    Puring  our  stay  at  Sandy  Bay  Station,  searcoly  adayjpai- 


I    ' 


>AtRl6T  EklL^. 


85 


ged  but  some  wereihrcntenpJ  with  tho  rrl  i '.  I  cnnnottcll  nil 
thnl  occurred  whilst  hero,  but.  on  ncconnt  ol'our  cnmphlning 
to  tho  mngislrnto,  of  poor  rnlions,  nnd  ihni  one  hnlf  nllowed 
by  Governinont,  vvns  stolon  from  us  by  clerks,  o^  crseers  nrid 
other  billeted  men,  nnd  nn  American  Cnptnin  of  a  Whaler, 
calling  to  sec  us,  we  were  stronuly  suspected  of  conlempla- 
ling  ui\  esrape,  being  n^nr  the  hnrhor,  nnd  in  sight  of  the 
fihipping.  We  were,  wiihin  thioe  hours  notice,  ordered  to  take 
up  our  line  of  marcli,  cnch  witlj  his  hlrmket,  tin-fup  and  plato 
on  his  back,  with  six  constiiiles  and  twelve  soldiers  to  escort 
us  on  our  way,  we  knew  not  whore.  Wo  were  nllowed 
three  days  rations  to  mob  man,  whicli  consisird  of  poor  mut- 
ton and  liread,  and  ohlisjod  to  roll  it  •  p  in  our  l)laMkcts,  they 
being  literally  alive  with  flens,  which  nre  very  nunieroui 
on  the  Islnnd.  f--'^t^     w  «■>•.■•■""••■••",    ••■    ■   ■   .  .■■■^.. 

Wo  are  now  on  our  wav,  nftor  a  stiv  of  over  throe  nnd  d 
half  months  nt  Snndy  Bny  Stnfion.  The  rorids  were  muddy, 
and  some  of  the  \v\r\v  helui^  imuell,  we  could  not  get  over 
twelve  miles  the  fiisr,  dny.  Wo  put  up  ni  a  road  s'ntion, 
whore  thero  \verf\  somo,  one  Imrulred  nn-i  filly  nt  work;  wo 
huddled  in  amongst  them,  nnd  reslcn  as  wril  as  wo  could 
through  th»'  niglu,  nfior  cMf>kii'g  somo  of  our  mutton,  in  a  ket- 
tle which  we  borrowed  of  iho  nvcj-sooi".  hv  ?>  fire  huilf  cMitside, 
for  there  wore  nodiimnpvs  in  fho  huts.  Wo  turned  out  in 
the  mornina;  nt  the  rinoPMv^  oi*  tho  sfition  F^e'l,  and  snw  four 
men  (h^ggoH  hcforo  hmnklVist — mo'voH  some  uiore  mul'on,  and 
discov  reil  thnt  we  Ind  lo^t  n  good  slinro  of  that,  and  of  tho 
bread,  durinc^  the  n  eiit. 

I  must  horo  remark,  ih'i'  wow^ror^ga'u  iiitronuccd  to  somo 
of  our  old  friends,  cnllo'l  l;oo.  which  continue  d  to  increnso,  in 
epite  of  nil  our  efl'trts,  durliicr  cur  sinv  on  'he  ronds.  Thoso 
and  thi'  flens,  which  nro  in  f'hnnd."nce  nn  md  these  old  huts, 
together  with  exlr^mo  sufforinp^s  undo  our  situntion  one  not 
to  be  desir  d.  nndonethnt  f-nnot  ho  f  lUv  described.     '  ■     ■  ' 

Wo  took  our  sf'tntv  hreik'^st  nud  wero  soon  on  our  wft^. 
That  dav  miny  woro  unwell,  i\u']  ho  ('onrse,  thick  shoos, 
without  socks,  (for  thrro  woro  none  nllowod  srmuier  or  win- 
ter) mnny  we  o  obliprod  to  orrv  in  thoir  hnnd"*.  Some  part 
of  the  ronds  heinn^  nowlv  laid  with  stono.  of  about  the  size  of 
hens-eggs,   only  not  quite  as  round,    beitJg  flint  stone,  with 


■;>!"'i 


i  >'■■■ 


i    .V 


fi» 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


ipdf^et  as  sharp  as  a  >ni(e.  Our  foet  wciro  soro  and  bleedif>|^ 
.tired  and  hungry,  9  got  but  little  faiiher  than  ontho  first 
k(lay,  th'nigh  continual! /  hurried  along  by  our  drivers,  if 
yre  roiused  to  go,  **VVell  darn  your  blo»dy  eyes,  go  along  a 
little  ways  farther,  there  is  n.  watch-house  we  will  put  you  in 
find  kee|)  you  on  bread  and  water  a  few  days,  and  see  how 
you  will  like  that."  Some,  however,  wereobligfd  loslop  be* 
ibre  night,  'i'hat  night  we  slopped  ai  a  small  villngo,  called 
.Bogdid,  which  consisted  of  prisoner's  barrack*!,  a  1  irge  waich* 
.house,  two  or  three  taverns  find  two  stores;  some  soJdier>  ond 
'plenty  of  const  <bles  and  potty  magistrates;  for  tin?;  was  0 
place  where  prisoners  were  brought  from  dillbreut  stations 
.eacli  way,  to  ba  tried  and  punished;  which  mide  it  quite  a 
placo  of  rosort  for  petty  tyrants,  that  (or  a  small  sijary,  leave 
England  for  the  honorable  otlicc  of  assisting  to  crush  the 
poor  prisonor  to  the  dust.  They  are  .so  hardened  and  eager 
to  punish,  the-y  hive  been  known  to  loave  their  dinner  for 
ihat  purposo,  which  I  believe  an  Piiiglishman  was  never 
j|tnown  U)  do  on  any  other  occasion.  1  suppo  e  it  is  wh«n  a 
fifcltler  semis  in  a  man  to  be  flogged,  with  a  letter,  telling  the 
magistrate  to  bo  in  a  hurry,  to  give  the  man  Hixty  lashes,  that 
he  m'ly  rnlurn  to  his  work  without  delay,  and  in  the  letter,  a 
promise  of  a  fit  pig  or  goose,  when  he  c  ills  to  nuike  hhii  a 
yisit,  which  is  olien  the  cise.  Most  of  these  se'.t.er  are  very 
/ich,  and  of'  course  have  a  gi'oat  influfnce  over  the  mogis* 
trates;  in  fict,  neirly  all  the  settlers  are  magietrafrs;  many 
of  thorn  irv  their  own  serv.iiifs,  and  send  ihem  to  these  stations 
to  receive  pimishmonf,  perhnps  sevon  diys  S(»litary  confine- 
ment, but  oftoncr  tliiriy  fivo  or  sixtv  lishes,  because  tliey 
are  in  a  hurry  for  ihqtr  l;ihoiir,  wliioh  the  poor  prisoner  ^ets 
nothing  l*or,  except  poor  clothes  and  poor  Wirc^  until  his  life 
of  si'ivorv  is  ended,  which  often  leaves  his  bolv.  a  I'fojess 
lump  in  the  hands  of  the  Doctor;  it  can  now  be  of  no  more 
use  to  the  rich  m.m.  It  is  thrown  inton  rough  box  and  sent 
awav  by  prisoners  or  slaves,  and  thrown  in!o  a  hole,  two  or 
three  f  et  d  op,  and  the  ground  merely  leveled.  This  is  the 
end  of  the  prisoner. 

The  s'um  oM  liist  of  names  that  followed  us  from  Qiiobec, 
(which  was  nil  the  warrantor  sentence  we  ever  rojreived)  was 
,9ftlied  qv^r  by  the  keej)or  of  (he  watch-house,  and  alur  cook- 


PATRIOT    KXILB. 


87 


ing  the  Inst  of  our  rnlions,  for  nearly  nil  of  it  hnd  bern  stolen 
from  us  the  first  night.  We  turned  in  among  prisonens, 
ihnt  hnH  some  of  ihem  been  in  for  months,  nnd  were  cover- 
ed with  filih  nnd  vermin;  some  of  us  slept  n  little,  (»thers  none 
at  all.  Next  morning  we  wore  obliged  lo  start  ofT  without 
any  thing  1o  enl;  we  lojd  ihrm  ihntf^^r  provisions  had  been 
Btolcn,  hut  ihnt  mnde  no  diflbrence;  it  'va-s  weighed  out  to  us 
for  throe  dnys  nrui  we  could  get  no  more.  The  third  d.iy,  just 
Qt  !iifi:»it,  wo  nrrivcd,  the  most  of  us,  at  a  plnco  (•ailed,  Lovely 
Boiilxs  Sinlinn;  hut  to  ns  it  proved  nny  thing  but  lovely.  It 
wns  the  l.itler  pnit  of  Jimo,  which  is  the  first  winter  month 
there.  There  is  very  li  lie  snow,  l)Ut  a  grcni  deal  of  wind 
oml  rnin,  hnl  we  hnd  the  snine  clothing  for  sumnier  as  win- 
ter. We  were  here,  ns  hefore,  obliged  to  work  in  nil  kinds 
of  wenther — wet,  cold  nnd  hungry — no  fires  were  allowed. 
There  wns  scnrcply  a  week,  during  iwo  nnd  a  half  months, 
ihnt  our  clothe**  wow  dry.  I  mu«t  not  nilempt  lo  dcscribo 
nil  th'it  took  pincc  hore;  those  thnt  were  over  us,  were  worse, 
if  possible,  thnn  nt  Snndy  Bny  Station.  Our  work  was  two 
miles  iVom  the  sfntion.  it  wns  mostiv  cnrling  stone.  Wo 
never  left  oil' woik  until  sun-do>in;  when  we  arrived  nl  the 
sta'.ion.  .^iid  hy  thetim*^  we  got  our  pint  ol'  giuel  drnnk,  it 
wns  quite  Hnik:  we  n)n.<-trred  into  our  huts,  n  >  fire,  no  light, 
cold,  luingry  nnd  tirrd— iimrly  every  nigiit  wet  to  the  skJDi 
the  doors  locked  wiih  smtrysout  side  day  nnd  night. 

Mr.  Brnberson.  the  siiperintei.dnnl,  wns  a  tyrnnt.  and  over- 
seers the  snme.  They  sermrd  todelighl  in  having  a ''down,'* 
QS  it  is  termed,  rn  sf;me  one;  in  whch  cnse,  the  mnn  or  men, 
ore  insulted  in  every  f)0'^sihle  mnnner.  Mnny  of  us  were 
thrust  i'lto  the  cpIIs.  to  plense  the  o verse-  r.  for  no  oficnco 
whatever,  m  rely  to  show  us  thnt  wo  were  in  his  power. 
There  are  m^ny  wnvs  for  the  overseer  to  punish  individuals 
through  the  dny,  stich  ns  causing  his  hnrrow  to  be  londed  a 
little  henvier  thnn  usnnl.  or  a  hnd  tool  put  into  his  hnnd  and 
compelh-rJ  to  do  ns  murh  ns  nnother  with  a  gonri  tool,  or  put 
in  a  hnd  muddy  plnce  to  work;  if  his  brenking  stone  is  f«>und 
fault  with  rnd  nre  not  broken  ns  well  nsthe  next  man's,  who 
mny  be  n  fnvnrlte  of  the  overseer,  he  is  obliged  to  hrcnk  ihem 
over,  making  him  work  rs  m'lch  rignin  os  his  neighbor.— 
Various  are  the  ways  and  means,  to   cause  one   mans  work 


. 


t 

til' 


i 


'M 


i 


S'i 


p.- 


1 1 


i: 


1 


pi 


■^ 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


1 : 


fliarder  nnd  more  disagreeable,  than  others  in  the  someplace, 
il  mention  this,  to  show  thr\i  of  n  number  of  men  at  work  in 
•the  sumo  g;mg,  some  amongst  them,    may  faro  much   hirder 
'and  experionco  ditlbrent  Ircatmcnl  than  others;  cDnsrquchtly, 
each  one  in  giving  an  account,  nuiy  vary,  and  still  all  do  irue. 
^  The  above  mode  orpiif/iiahinenl  is  in  the   power  of  tli-  over- 
♦'■eer;iryou   c<'n)plaiii,  or  ihrcntcn   to  tnkc    him  bcloro  tho 
'  magistrate,  he  \a  sure  to  gel  ihc  start  of  yon;  no  matter  whcth. 
-  er  you  are  guilty  or  not,  he  goes  to  the  rnagislralo  wiih  you, 
and  commonccb  a  long  list  of  cotnplainls,  which  are  listened 
to;  "This  man,  sir,  is  a  very  hatl  man,  sir;   he  is  snucy,  sir; 
he  gives  me   insolonco,  he  refuses  to  do  whnt  I   bid  iiiui,  sir; 
he  is  Ifi/y  ri!)Vi  slights  his  witrk;  when  I  pnssby  him  he  looks 
with  contempt  at  me  sir;  he  is  vcrv  obstinato,  I   have  more 
trouble  with  him,  than  fiiiy  other  one  in  the  gnng  "  d'c.     If 
tho  prif^oner   allrmj  ts  to  say  any  thing   in  his  own  dcfonce, 
the  mngistiate.will  stop  him  by  srjyin,fr,  "oh  ynu  cannot  plead 
not  giiiliy,  to    all  of  these  compl-iints;  tliis    mm    is  a   good 
'  overseer  find  you  prisoners    nre  very  brd;  you  need    not  at- 
tempt loe\(nJse  yourself,  I  sh'ill  sec  fit  lo  givtj  you  ten  days 
solitary  confinement,  on  bread  nnd  water;    tnke  hinj  auay." 
Thus  you  see  the  prisoner  has  no   possible  (dinned  of   right 
or  jusliro.      When  he  comos  out  of  the  »;ell,  he  is  sent  imme- 
diately to  work,  so  weak  ho  can  s(!arci?ly  w.'ilk,  and  the  samo 
abuse  nnd  insult  comuiunces  again:    ihc   oversrer  contempt- 
ously    laugh  ng   at   him;  "there   you  see  whnt  you   get  by 
threaten 'ng  to  pull  me;  1  told  you  so." 

I  WIS  under  I'^e  necessity  of  comphiiningto  the  nngistratc, 
on  account  of  tho  barrows  being  lo\ded  sr»  hc'ivy  tli'it  it  was 
impossib'e  for  me  to  whnel  them;  tho  overseer  hnd  .)een  im- 
posing upou  me  for  some  tim-"*,  on  account  of  a  coiiiplnint  to 
the  magistrate,  of  tilings  beingtriken  out  of  our  luir.  at  difFer- 
ent  times.  I  told  him  it  must  lie  some  of  the  old  Inuds  about 
the  station,  for  they  were  taken  whilst  wo  were  out  to  work. 
On  plensmt  d.iys,  we  would,  so-tie  of  u^,  leave  our  shoes, 
or  coat,  in  tho  hut;  a  nuujber  Ind  lost  tiuun;  1  h:  d  lo-la  pair 
of  boots.  The  nvigistrate  said  the  doors  niiis^  he  lo  -ked, 
whilst  we  were  out  to  work.  There  were  five  or  six  old 
hands  billited  men,'  about  the  sntion,  that  would  ste  il  our 
cloths,  and  often  we  were  punished  for  loosing  them.     Nov 


mi 


^ 


iini  riwuv 


PATRIOT  KXIM. 


80 


Jie  overseer  wns  ono  of  the  gang  of  thieves,  and  took  the 
privilege  of  abusing  mo,  in  every  possible  nnnnncti',  saying 
gverylilile  while,  **jiccus>eusor3teuling,  will  you."     1  Htjally  • 
told  him  that  ho  wns  as  bad  as  those  ho  uf)hcld,  in  such  cou* 
duct,  and  I  believed  by  his  conduct  towards  n)e,  that  ho  woe  . 
ihe  ono  mat  look,  or  caused  my  boots  lo  bo  taken;  likewise 
iheoiher  things  we  had  lost.     Myself,  with  two  or  ihreo  oih-  > 
ers,  hud  come  to  the  conclusion  that  wo  should  bo  obliged  to 
take  liio  Bush.     I  told  the   superintondant   of  tho  overseers  . 
abuse,  to  mo  and  some  others,  but  got    no  satisfaclion;  be- 
cause one  was  as  bad  as  the  other.     I  told  him  that  1  had  a  i 
pain  in  my  breast,  and  could  not  stand  it,  to  wheel  such  heavy  < 
loads:  but  was  told,  1  must  do  it.     I  saw  that  lould  not  stand 
it  much  longer.     Tho  magistrate  was  to  bo  there  the  next  ; 
day;  when  l»«  come,  I  told  him  of  the  overseers  abuse  to  mo,  ; 
and  that  1  could  not  stand  it  hut  a  short  time.     The  overseer,  i 
Tom  King,  was  called,  and  went  on  with  a  long  list  of  cotn-  j 
ptaints.    1  told  the  magistrate  that  they  were  all  lies,   and 
could  be  proven  so  by  every  man  in  the  party;  I  told  him  the  t 
cause  of  the  overseer's   treatment  to  me,  and  that  I  was  not  > 
the  only  one,  who  would  bo  driven  to  death  or  the  Bush,  by  ■ 
the  tyranny  and  villiany  of  our  overseers;  ihojDoctor  wascal-  ; 
led  ond  1  was  examined;  1  told  him  of  the  pain  in  my  breast,  i 
that  1  had  been  troubled  with  it  a  long  time.     Said  he,  "did 
you  tell  the  overseer  of  your  situalionT'     I  told  him  that  I 
had.     "That   will  do,"  said  he,  giving  me  a  plaster.     Tho 
Doctor  and  magistrate  talked  together  a  short  time.      The  j 
magistrate  told  me  that  ho  had  not  time  to  go  through  with  o 
atrial,  but  must  put  it  olf  until  another  dny,  and  that  I  could  j 
withdraw.     He  then  talked  to  King,  so  loud  that  I  could  hear  a 
him  from  the  adjoining  room.     Said  he,  "if  this  suit  should 
go  on,  and  Marsh  shoi^d  bring  witnesses,  it  must  go  against  : 
you;  the  Doctor  tells  me  ho  is  not  able  to  do  heavy  work,  and  * 
it  is  evident  you  have  abused   him,  by  causing  him  to  work  i; 
harder  than  he  is  able;  you  see  it  would  send  you  to  Port  t 
Arthur  six  months  or  a  year:  so  you  may  thank  me  for  not  h 
bringing  the  case  to  trial;  put  him  at  light  work,  and  let  me  >? 
hear  no  more  complaints  of  this  kind."     So  saying,  he  left  1) 
the  station.     The  Doctor  told  him  he  ought  to  be  flogged,  fo?  a 
treating  me  as  he  had.    Said  he,  "you  might  know  that  be  J 


h^ 


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KiCllllAtlve  OP  A* 


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WW  not  wdl  by  appearenccs,  and  when  ho  told  you  he  wai 
not  nblo  to  wheel  such  loads,  you  ou.^hl  ti>  h:iK)  brought  him 
to  me,  to  knowwhoihcr  ho  vva.s  nhle;  do  y^u  put  him  rr.  very 
light  work,  until  you  havo  other  in*ders  iVo.nin'."  I  had  it 
€afaier  al'tor  that,  (or  some  lirno,  I)  .t  Htillbrcd  much  from  puin, 
I  believe  ihi)  was  the  only  instance,  ih;it  any  oi  us  had  re« 
ceived  any  thing  like  justice,  I  niiy  si  y,  dinng  our  slay  on 
the  roads.  I  believe  the  Doctor  was  thi;  ciuse  oflhis  smglo 
act  of  benevolence  to  nic.  'I'hc  oveiscr  i'ult  that  ho  »vas 
next  i)est  in  that  one  instance,  About  two  weeks  iVom  that, 
he  began  to  niauii'<\st  signs  ol'  renovvin'^  his  fyiauny  tovNfirds 
me,  l»y  various  acts.  C)ue  night  as  ihcg.ing  hnd  got  netirly 
in  to  the  slatict/i,  ho  enquired  lor  the  crowbars,  and  was  told 
that  'hey  were  left.  »'l  meant  to  hnd  tlicni  brought  in,''  said 
he.  It  was  Saturday;  the  to(ds  were  to  be  taken  in  for  in- 
•pection.  TliO  gang  wris  stopped,  myself  and  Wright,  rnioih- 
er  one  that  ho  had  a  ''down"'  on,  ibr  som^i  trilling  ollonce, 
were  cnlled  out  And  sent  back  two  miles  ibr  the  crowbnrs, 
ihorG  wns  one  small  one,  and  one  \ery  large  one,  we  tried, 
on  our  way  brick,  two  or  throe  limes,  i)  break  them,  but  had 
not  strength;  at  last,  by  throwing  the  bigono  irom  our  shoul- 
dors  across  the  small  one,  which  lay  rju  the  ground,  we  cl  last 
broke  it  near  the  center.  It  was  nine  o'chck  when  we  arri- 
ved at  th;;  stazion,  very  tired  nnd  hungry,  after  taking  our 
pint  of  skilly,  wo  went  to  our  huts  for  some  rest.  Next 
mornitig  wo  wore  «^alled  ujinn  and  questioned  concerning  tho 
broken  bar;  we  told  ihcm  it  must  have  been  broken  by  soniO 
one  during  tho  night.  Wo  were  threatened  with  the  cells, 
but  ns  it  could  not  be  proved,  we  being  alone,  wo  finally. rp- 
teived  nothing  but  threats.     'T-'*  .*  xM.tl     .w/;iO:  !. 

Two  of  our  party  now  take  tho  Hush,  for  the  sake  of  get- 
ting out  of  the  hands  of  these  tyrants,  nnd  if  possible  make 
aomo  arrangement  with  an  American  Cnplain  of  a  whaler, 
as  there  were  two  or  three  in  port.  Linas  VV.  Miller  and 
Joseph  Stewart,  undertook  it;  after  doing  all  in  their  power, 
they  failed  in  tho  attempt.  They  were  taken,  tried,  nnd  sen- 
tenced two  years  to  Port  Arthur.  They  suffered  much,  for 
the  first  few  weeks,  after  an  abusive"  speech  from  the  Gov 
crnor,  some  of  the  officers  of  that  place  considered  it  very 
Ivnird  that  the  Governor  ahou'.d  bo  so  severe  on  them,  for  at- 


ft 


TATRIOT  EXILE. 


9^ 


1  we  arri- 


tempting'  nn  ( •^npr,  nnd  mnnifnsicd  a  disposiiibn  to  treni  therti'^  > 
belter.     Mr.  MillrrnmJ  Mr.  Stewart  bring  good    Kcln»lar8, 
Millnr  uns  r  in|)l(i\  rd  ns  fcnclicr  of  the  children  oflhc  ofticcrtjl^ 
on  ll)0  stfition;  Slewfirl  ns  signal  man.     1  will  leave  ilicin  for 
the  preseiii,  nnJ  rcium. 

On  the  (Joverri(W>'  l.cnrinp  of  their  leftVfng  tf^e  pArty,  ah'd* 
hearing,  l!l<rwise,  fhnl  on  neciumt  of  bnd  trenlinent,  the  who'd 
party  would  soon  take  the  l^ush,  he  gave  orders  that  we  should' 
all  he  clothed  in    ningpie,  \vhi<-h    in  striped    with  half  black, 
liall*  yellow;  it  is  considoied  the  mo.st  degrading  suit  a  priso- 
ner con  we.ir;  they  nre  intended  for  doubt v  convicted  felons. 
Ho  ordere<l    us  nil  dressr-d   in  that  nnd  to  bo   removed  to  nn-' 
other  station,  where  it  wris  more  convenient  to  keep  tlie  niili- 
tnry  to  watch  us;  wc  wore  nccordingly  dressed  in  this  splen- 
did suit;  it  wns  a  <'ornief»l  dre5s,  you  would    have   Iraighed  to 
have  seen  hs;  we  l<new  it  was  for  j)unishnient,  sf>  wo  njipear- 
ed  to  feel  very  prouti;  some  would  dance,  others  strut  around' 
very  much  plenscil  with  our   new  suit,   it  having  a  different " 

affect  fr«Mn  wh. 'it  ihey  expected,  it  caused  some  of  them  to 
look  rather  shamed.  u-.ui  ■-)   r- -'  ,, -j,.     o     .;..».*> 

\V«  remnin^d  fit  this  place  during  the  winter,  sufToring' 
rmicli  fn»ni  cold,  hunger  and  hard  work;  wet  mostly  all  tho  ' 
time,  obliged  to  wash  our  own  shirts,  with  cold  water  and  lit- 
tle son  p.  mend  our  own  clothes,  for  we  wcro  allowed  but 
two  suitsayenr;  it  was  with  much  difliculty  wo  could  keep 
them  on  our  backs;  some  having  ihem  stole,  were  obliged 
to  go  without,  many  obliged  to  go  b'.ircfoot. 

It  is  of  no  use  for  me  lo  undcriaKo  to  tell  of  all  tho  abuse 
wo  received  from  the  petty  tyrants  on  that   station,  manj 
would  not  believe  it.     Many  were  put  in  the  cells  for  seven,  *" 
eight  and  ten  days  on  oread  and  water  for  very  trifling  offen- ; 
ces,  and  in  fact  for  no    ofTence  whatever.     Two   or   throe 
wtre  put  in  for  refusing  to  work  without  shoes  in  the  frost 
and  on  the  flint-stone  road — kept  in  until  almost  starved — 
taken  out  and  obliged  to  work,  being  promised  shoes  in  a 
few  days,  finally  when  the   lime  comes  to  deal  them  out,   ' 
which   was  twice  a  year,  some  withj  iheir  feet  so  cut  with 
stone,  so  swollen  and  sore  connot  wear  their  shoes;  but': 
thoro  is  no  Excuse  when  you  complain  of  sore  feet,  "well  ' 
yon  havo  got  shoes  now,  bcforo   you  could  not  work  you  ' 


.ii 


4>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 

|L25 


lit  Ij^   i2.2 

11°    12.0 


lU 

BS 


I' 


y 


-^ 


HiotDgraphic 

Sdences 

Carporation 


23  WiST  MAIN  STREiT 

WfBSTEt.N.Y.  MSM 

(716)  •72-4503 


m 


KAI^RATiyS  QP  A 


'  i 


said  you  had  r>one — now  you  have  got  them,  you  must  workt 
no  excuse  now,  only  I'eet  u  liitle  sore,  thul's  nothing,  go  on 
with  your  work''  fiic. 

Now  comes  the  word,  "all  hund«  get  ready  for  a  move," 
—our  lousoy  blankets  which  we  wcreobligfid  lo  keep  during 
our  stiiy  on  the  roads,  our  tin  hou^uhold  furniture,  the  same 
all  coltccicd  which  amounts  to  one  cii|),  one  plate,  no  knife 
or  fork,  notables,  no  chairs,  i.o  nothing.  But  utter  destitu- 
tion of  every  thing  that  would  have  the  '■  asl  tendency  to 
make  us  coMjforiablo.  A  days  rations  were  weighed  out  to 
us — we  a  e  now  under  marching  orders,  with  a  respiciablo 
possee  of  the  Queen's  pence  officers  with  blue  rouudaboula^ 
muskets  and  clubs  in  hand:  they  are  not  only  sworn  to  keep 
the  peace,  but  to  swear  i^i  favor  of  the  crown  against  any 
prisoner,  at  all  ;iines,  in  fact,  they  are  the  government'f 
standing  witnesses,  they  are  very  numerous  they,  together 
vrith  the  overseers  are  selected  from  the  prisoners — and  fol 
a  little  better  fare  and  a  trifle  of  gold,  stand  ready  to  crush 
the  prisoner,  and  if  he  says  a  word  against  it,  bring  him 
at  once  before  a  man  called  magistrate,  whose  pay  is  a  little 
more;  and  between  them  all,  the  prisoner,  though  his  con- 
duct may  be  good,  who  has  been  trying  all  in  his  power  to 
keep  out  of  trouble,  is  sure  to  suffer.  These  men's  charao> 
tors  you  will  find  d^'lineated  in  the  7xh  chapter  of  Micah) 
second  third  and  fourth  verses,    f?';?  ":.•?  i<  nr^ou-fi  >Jr<jH  ov? 

We  are  now  on  our  way  back  towards  Ho's>art  town,enduring 
us  it  were  a  forced  march.  Arrived  that  evening  very  much 
fatigued,  at  a  place  called  Green  Ponds  Station,  distance 
twenty  miles  from  Lovely  Banks  and  twenty  miles  from 
Hobart  town.  Near  the  station  were  soldier's  barracks, 
and  a  company  of  about  sixty  soldiers  stationed  there  for 
the  purpose  of  hunting  or  rather  watching  for  bush-rangers 
and  escorting  prisoners  on  their  way  for  punishment.  I 
tnust  not  be  particular  in  describing  every  thing  that  occur* 
red  wKilst  at  this  el^^tion;  they  wer^  similar  here  to  o(he!r 
stations.  The  superintepdant  was  a  man  they  called  Bobby 
N^itman,  and  by  the  old  hands,  a  Tiger.  Mi^ny  were  thi 
men  that  had,  fsu^ered  Mnd^^hi^P*  but  to  us  he  appeared  tP 
be  friendly,  said  he  did  not  consider  us  the  same  asi^.otheri 
prisoners.   Now  the  Goveraor  was  disappointedj  for  he  co»- 


riTKIOT  Util. 


9S 


fiidered  as  old  Bobby  was  a  tyrant,  that  under  him  all  would 
be  severely  punished,  becuus**  two  of  our  party  bud  aWcon* 
ded;  but  hearing  old  Bobby  was  mnnifesting  signs  of  mercy 
(which  was  perhaps  the  first  he  whs  ever  known  lo  do)  he 
had  him  immediately  removed,  and  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Wright,  to  us  all  wrong — but  the  right  man  for  ihe  gov- 
ernor Sir  John,  wns  put  over  us  here,  and  I  verily  believe 
he  lay  awake  nights  planning  and  devising  means  to  make 
us  unhappy  and  miserable.  The  party  was  driven  out  to 
work  as  soon  as  they  could  see  in  the  morning,  and  worked 
until  dark  and  often  until  eight  o'clock,  before  they  arrived 
atthe  station,  g(^t  their  pint  ot  skilly — tired,  wet  and  hungry, 
mustured,  turned  into  the  huts,  dtiors  lucked.  There  we  are 
amongst  the  bed*bugs,  flees  and  lice,  a  tub  for  use  m  each  hut, 
If  we  could  sleep,  well  and  good,  if  not,  all  the  same  :  wo 
turn  out  as  soon  as  daylight,  take  our  pint  of  skilly  and  are 
marched  to  work,  which  was  principally  carting  stone. 
Some  five  or  six  at  this  place,  were  ruined  for  life,  and  not 
any  but  can  refer  back  to  this  place  as  one  of  horrible  suf- 
ferings and  with  disgust  at  the  petty  tyrants  who  were  over 
UB  there.  At  this  place  were  cells,  a  flngellator,  and  tri- 
angles. We  were  obliged  every  few  days  to  see  some  one 
of  the  old  hands  brought  loour  station  from  ono  about  two 
miles  distant  to  be  flogged.  We  getting  tired  of  seeing  it, 
took  the  triangles,  not  without  some  difliculty,  however,  and 
concealed  them  and  in  a  day  or  two  a  man  was  brought  to  be 
flogged,  but  on  looking  for  the  triangles,  they  were  not  to  be 
found;  so  the  man  escaped  that  time,  we  were  all  threatened 
but  no  one  knew  anything  about  them. 

Some  two  or  three  of  our  party  had  managed  at  diflerent 
times  to  obtain  a  Httle  paper  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  a 
Journal,  though  not  allowed  to  do  so.  Mr.  Wright  and  ihe 
overseers  were  fearful  that  if  ever  they  were  published,  they 
would  be  exposed.  He  had  us  all  ranked  up  and  with  con- 
stables, clerks,  overseers,  and  other  bilited  men,  had  us  all 
searched.  Just  before  the  search  took  place,  I  was  seen  by  a 
man  with  a  pie<^e  of  paper  of  some  kind,  supposed  to  be  a 
Journal,  information  was  given  and  I  was  ordered  to  take  ofli* 
all  my  clothes  and  be  thoroughly  searched;  not  suumitting 
they  were  taken  off"  entirely,   but  found  only  a  newspaper 


|i| 


Iti.ll'     ;] 

1  t    I! 


r;r  ■ 


?  f 


94 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


I,    . 


;- : 


.'; 


d;\  ^ 


n  I 


that  one  of  the  soldiers  had  handed  me  with  something  in  it 
he  said,  respecting  the  Canadian  prisoners,  as  we  were  called, 
Now  it  was  so  managed  by  government,  that  every  few 
weeks  a  paper  would  be  handed  us  with  something  favorable 
intimating  if  our  conduct  was  good  we  would  all  soon  be 
liberated,  and  in  fact  for  a  long  time  before  wejivere  libera- 
ted it  was  in  the  papers  in  England  as  well  as  other  places 
that  the  Canadian  prisoners  were  all  liberated.  But  we 
afterwards  learnt  it  was  done  not  only  to  deceive  us  and  keep 
us  quiet,  but  to  deceive  our  friends  and  keep  them  in  the 
dark  respecting  our  actual  condition  and  sufferings. 

During  the  search  there  were  one  or  two  journals  found, 
and  in  them  his  own  character,  with  others,  was  partly  des- 
cribed, but  in  such  a  manner  that  it  could  not  be  distinct- 
ly made  out.     I  understood  that  Wright  went  with  it  to  the 
*^ magistrate,  Mr.  Erskine,  who  had  a  hearty  laugh  over  it. 
Says  he  to  Mr.  Wright,  *♦  there  appears  to  be  much  truth 
'  in  this  journal,  according  to  all  accounts ;  if  you  arc  guilty 
of  such  little  mean  acts,  1  do  not  blame  the  men  for  finding 
fault.     I  shall  look  into  it,  and  if  true,  you  must  expect  to 
-  be  punished."     Wright  was  pretty  quiet  for  a  spell ;  we 
had  become  satis6ed  that  if  the  magistrate  here  had  taken 
*■  notice  and  done  as  Wright  wished  him  respecting  us,  our 
»  situation  would  havo  been  worse,  if  possible,  than  Wright 
■  had  it  in  his  power  to  make  it.     Mr.  Erskine  was  the  best 
magistrate  we  found  whilst  on  the  roads  ;  but  knowing  thati 
Sir  John  had  sent  us  to  that  station  for  punishment,  and  to 
be  under  the  eye  of  the  military,  and  that  he  had  selected 
Wright  for  the  tyrant  superintendant,  he  could  not  do  much| 
for  us  only  by  taking  little  notice  of  Wright's  complaints, 
But  Wright,  you  may  be  assured,  did  all  in  his  power  tul 
make  us  miserable  ;  he  boasted  that  he  would  subdue  our 
d— d  yankee  spirits.     Now,  as  I  before  remarked,  there 
was  scarcely  a  week  but  that  some  gentlemen,  as  they  arc 
called  there,  in  passing  by  would  tell  some  of  us  we  might 
depend  upon  our  liberation  in  a  very  short  time,  at  the  same 
time  giving  their  reasons,  which  to  us  appeared  reasonable, 
Some  thought  the  United  States  Government  would  demand 
us;  others,  that  the  difficulties  between  England  and  the 
States  would  soon  be  settled  and  we  allowed  to  return  home] 


^ '!'**?•■■■*>»■''-,■*. 


■a  »»"^i--v. 


y^"\'-,',  vf-' 


4 


i    :1 


l>. 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


96 


utHlrei  that  a  general  amnesty  was  grunted  to  all  that  left 
Cnnada  :  Papineuu  was  a  leading  character  ;  Lefontine 
and  others  were  back  and  holding  ofRce  under  Government. 
Surely*  they  will  do  something  Cor  you  aAer  being  punished 
so  long — surely,  Government  will  release  you  after  releas* 
ing  so  many  or  all  the  leading  ones  in  the  rebellion — that 
Canada  was  quiet.  Some  of  them  told  us  the  rebellion  had 
done  a  great  deal  of  good,  and  if  you  ever  get  back,  the 
people  of  Canada  ought  to  remember  you  who  have  sufier- 
ed  so  much — they  surely  will.  We  told  them,  if  our  suffer. 
ings  had  done  any  good,  we  were  gludy  but  if  the  Govern- 
ment was  satisfied  that  good  to  the  people  generally  in 
Canada  was  the  result,  instead  of  farther  punishment,  they 
ought  to  liberate  us  at  once,  and  handsomejy  reward  us  for 
being  the  means  of  doing  so  much  good,  instead  of  knight- 
ing and  lavishing  great  salaries  on  men  guilty  of  such  dis- 
graceful and  cowardly  acts  as  the  burning  of  the  Caroline, 
and  such  men  as  Col.  John  Prince,  Sir  Allf  n  Mc  Nab,  and 
a  host  of  others  who  would  be  a  disgrace  to  any  nation  ; — 
yet  they  reward  them  for  evil  acts,  and  punish  us  for  good 
HCts.  England  is  noted  for  such  conduct,  yet  would  be 
considered  a  humane  and  Christian  nation. 

After  hearing  so  often  such  favorable  accounts  from  men 
who  appeared  to  know,  and  being  anxious  to  return  if  pos- 
sible to  our  native  country,  to  gladden  the  hearts  of  our 
friends,  and  looking  and  belipving  that  every  week  would 
bring  us  some  good  news,  and  learning,  after  being  a  short 
time  there,  it  was  useless  in  our  situation  to  attempt  to  es- 
cape from  the  island,  especially  while  on  the  roads,  even  if 
we  took  the  bush — taking  all  these  things  and  many  more 
which  none  but  those  iu  auv  situation  can  know  into  con- 
sideration, we  concluded  we  were  doing  what  was  for  the 
best  in  submitting  to  work  on  the  roads — but  if  we  had  the 
same  to  go  through  with  again,  and  could  know  it  before- 
hand,  as  those  did  who  knev.  the  patriots  would  fail,  we 
should  do  differently. 


>o:>-:Ov;ii  ^--vl  ti 


''fit  i? 


ri    i 


ilv2  C< 


;¥'i 


'.-3 


Vl; 


r:; 


(.;'* 


«*  M  - 


'ill'  .H   .1 


i  )■ 


I'i- 


i..     I 


1   t 


\l 


i^. 


hi 


I    M,; 


.XAJUIATIVB  OF  A 


,...il. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


^  rl 


SI'  ' 


>%  t. 


:i  ■;:'■-;■: 


■  S$cond  speech  of  Sir  Johiif — removed  8[c. 

Kind  I'fmder,  you  must  now  have  the  patience  or  hanpl. 
ness  of  knov^ing  that  we  are  favored  with  iinoil»er  splcn* 
did  specich  Irom  Sir  John.  After  we  had  buin  about  five 
wc(.Us  at  tl»at  'plucot  we  were  told  one  evening  his  excel- 
lenry  was  expected  along  the  next  day,  and  ihai  we  ficcd 
not  go  out  to  work,  but  set  about  putting  things  to  righls 
about  the  station,  cleaning  out  the  huts,  etc.  etc.  About 
noon,  as  we  were  on  the  point  of  tnking  our  poor  boiled 
mutton  and  bit  of  bread*  u  messenger  arrived,  de«;laring 
his  excellency  was  not  over  two  miles  from  the  station. — 
That  very  moment  was  hciud  tho  order,  "Turn  out,  turn 
out,  all  hands,  muster,  muster;"  of  course,  wo  had  to  leave 
our  splendid  dinnor,  and  v.ere  soon  ranked  up.  Jn  about  n 
half  an  hour,  another  messenger  arrives,  his  horse  ill  in  ii 
laiiier,  and  declares,  hia  e.^ccllency,  the  Lieutenant  Gover- 
nor  was  close  by— ho  would  be  there  in  a  few  minutes — be 
in  readiness.  Ho  spurrs  his  horse  around  the  yard  two  or 
three  limes,  as  large  as  life,  because  ho  was  one  of  the 
big  man's  life  guards  ;  they  were  in  alt  some  eight  or  ten, 
dressed  in  livery  ;  some  were  dispatched  to  announce  liis 
near  approach — others  to  remain  near  his  royal  h  ghness, 
probfibly  to  protect  his  noble  person  from  any  danger  that 
might  occur  from  men  that  have  been  driven  by  his  tyranny 
to  take  the  bush — or  for  fear  the  old  genllemnn  mi-^;.t  tum- 
ble from  his  horse,  for  he  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  a  lit- 
tle too  much  ;  but  as  I  learned,  it  was  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  the  digestion  of  the  enormous  quantity  of  food 
which  he  was  obliged  to  have  in  store  ;  that  ho  invariably 
tra-elledon  horseback. 

About  i':n  hour  from  the  first  mcFsenger's  announcement 
of  his  excellency's  near  approach,  we  have  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  him  ;  be  is  uow  riding  back  and  furthy  reviewing  us, 


I '' 


hV', 


FATBtOT   BXILK. 


97 


aud  halts  about  the  centre  :— *'  Well,  men,  1  am  very  glad 
to  hear  your  conduct  has  been  so  good   up  to  the  time  of 
Miller  and    Stewart's  leaving  your  party  ;  they  arn   very 
bad  men;    I  have  been  to  Port  Arthur  and  have  told  them 
they  need  never  look  for  release  from  punishment — they 
shall  be  punished  to  the  extremity  of  the    law.     I  know 
your  object  was  to  make  your  escape  from  the  island.     1 
know  ail  about  it,  but  you  can't  do  it.     1  have  ordered  you 
to  be  dressed  in  mogpye  and  to  be  sent   to  this  place  i'ov 
punishment,  and  that  you  might  bo  under  the  eye  of  my 
military,     1  have  given  them  orders  to  shoot  you  down  liko 
wild  beasts,  if  you  should  take  the  bush  ;  (in  a  great  rage) 
depend  upon  it,  if  you  should  attempt  it,  not  a  man  of  you 
will  escape.     Even  if  you  should  abscond,   aiid   havo  the 
fortune  to  get  to  America,  but  that  is  impossible  ;  but  it  you 
nbould,  I  should  send  my  military  all  the  way  there  after 
you,  and  have  you  brought  back.     Depend  upon  it,   you 
cannot  escape  punishment;  (catching  for  breath)  he  advised 
us  not  to  associate  with  the  old  hands    for  they  are  all  bad 
men  ;  they  may  advise  you  to  take  the  bush,   as  many  of 
them  have  done,  but  they  are  sure  to  be  taken  and  severely 
punished.     They  used  to  be  all   hung  for  taking  the  bush, 
but  now  they  are  all  sent  to  Port  Arthur,  which  is  nearly  as 
bad  as  death  ;  depend  upon   it,  men',  you  will  be  severely 
punished.     I  have  not  received  orders   from  the  Secretary 
of  State  yet  concerning  you,  men,  but  as  quick  as  I  do  you 
shall  know.     I  hope  it  will  be  favorable  for  you  ;  if  your 
conduct   remains  good,  you  will  soon  be  off  the  roads.     1 
am  very  sorry  you   have  taken  it  into  your  heads  to  take 
the  bush,  thinking  to  escape  punishment,  and  I  tell  you  you 
cannot  escape  it."     We  could  easily  discern  that  punish- 
ment was  the  old  gentleman's  meat  and  drink  ;   he  seemed  . 
to  rejoice  that  he  hud  got  so  many  Americans  in  his  power. 
He  was  glad  our  conduct  was  good,  yet   he  must  punish, 
for  fear  it  would  bo  bad.     This  was  his  motto  with  us   du- 
ring our  stay  on  the  island.     Finally,  after  repealing  over 
the  above  and  similar  language  three  or  four  times,  which 
amounted  to — good   men,  bad   men,   punishment — the   old 
man,  getting  entirely  exhausted,  withdrew,  leaving  us  to 
wonder  whether  bad  condnct  or  good  conduct  would  make 
.        *S    - 


ii 


lit 


1*' 


: 


M 


t« 


r. 


m 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


any  dl(!^Tonce  in  tho  eyo  of  n  man  that  supposed  all  men 
sent  to  a  pnniil  co'ony,  whether  good  or  had,  must  bo  pun. 
i.-^hc'd.  I  supposi;  t!iu'  old  simplcori,  thought  he  was  thero 
for  no  other  purpose — and,  in  fact  that  appears  to  bo  tho 
prin(!if)il  ohj  ;ct;  wc;  certainly  found  if  so. 

VVriphl,  the  superinienrlant  nnd  ovcrsrcr,  now  took  fresh 
cour.igi)  from  hiuring  it  waa  still  the  old  man's  determinn. 
tion  to  minish.     I  sh.tll   not  go  through   wiih  the  various 
niofJos  of  punishment,  which,    if  possible,   continue  to  in. 
crcnsj  ;  you  have  had  a  sample  of  them.     Many  were  put 
in  the  cells  for  eight  or   ten  days,  on  bread  atid  WHter,  for 
daring  to  speak  against   tho   horrible     treatment    received. 
Wo  wero    here  itirt.  igh    the   t.ummer   nnd    fall.     Wright 
would  take   for  his  family  use  nil  the  fat  and  best  part  of 
our  meal.     VVo  never  got  over  half  tho  rali(»ni  allowed  i\r, 
by  Government,  \vhirh  wass  not  enough  for  us,   woikmgas 
we  did.     Tho  blow-flies  aro  much  more  numerouaand  dif. 
fercnt  there  from  the  flies  in  America.    As  soon  as  a  sheep 
is  dressed,  unless  put  at  once  in  a  safe,   it  is  covered,   not 
with  fly  blows,  as  in  America    but  with  maggots;  for  it  Is 
a  fact   th;it  as  soon  as  a  fly  lights,  you  can  perceive  a  de- 
posit of  live  insects,  spreading  in  all  directions,  and  in  the 
course  of  an  hour  or  two  aro   full  grown   maggots.     Our 
poor  mutton  is  all  put  in  a  large  cauldron,  sot   in  an  arch 
and  boiled  for  all  the  parly.     It  is  often  tho  case,  thai  afier 
the  meat  has  been  a  short  time  in  iho  warm  water,  i\k  mag- 
gots rise  to  the  surface,  completely  covering  the  water  from 
sight,  until  it  boils  ;  this  is  the  situation  of  our  meat  during 
nina  months  out  of  twelve      I  am  aware  thai  ii  is  hard  for 
some  to   believe,   but  it  is  true.     There  are  many  things  I 
have  neglected  mentioning,   because  y<tu  would  Ihiuk  them 
not  true;  many  of. the   modes  of  punishment   resorted  to 
in  this  penal  colony,  I  am  sure  I  never  would  have  belie v 
ed  if  I   had  not  experienced  them. 

In  about  two  months  from  his  first  visit  to  this  place,  liis 
excellency  called,  and  we  all  ranked  up  as  usual.  He  ad- 
dressed us  in  his  usual  manner,  telling  us  he  was  glad  to 
hear  our  couduel  was  good,  and  that  the  crime  of  rebellion 
against  one  of  the  best  governments  in  the  world  was  tho 
worst  crime  in  tho  world — that  we  were  very  bad  men,  and 


rAtmOT   KXlLlE. 


d9 


itiuat  expect  to  be  severely  punished  ;  and  that  he  had  writ- 
ten to  Lord  John  Rusaoll.  her  Majesty's  Secretary  of  For- 
eign Affairs,  and  had  just  received  nn  answer,  and  you 
ought  to  be  very  thankful  that  it  is  as  favorable  an  it  is.  I 
will  now  cause  it  to  bo  read  to  you,  and  turning  to  his  Stc- 
retary,  told  him  lo  read  the  letter.  It  was  short.  The  pur- 
port of  it  was,  tiiut  he,  Lord  John  Russell,  had  delayed  an- 
swering his  excellency's  letter,  on  account  of  his  wniring 
un  an>wt'r  from  Lord  Sydenham,  Governor  General  of  the 
Canadas,  for  instructions  concerning  us,  which  were,  that 
he,  Lord  Sydenham,  Governor  General  of  the  Canadas, 
hud  no  objections  to  Sir  John  Franklin's  granting  the  Can- 
adian prisoners  any  indulgence  his  excellency  might  see 
fit,  only  not  to  allow  us  to  return  to  America,  for  iho  .safety 
and  well-bi;irig  of  t.io  North  American  colonies. 

You  sno  by  this,  ihaf  Sir  John  had  it  in  his  power  to  alle- 
viate our  sufferings.     Recollect,  he  had  told  us,    he  hoped 
when  he  r«ceivfd  the  letter  it  would  be  favorable,   and  that 
he  felt  disposed  to  be  lenient  towards  us — was  glad  our  con- 
duct was  good,  and  hoped  it  would  remain  so,  for  I  tell  you 
men,  good  conduct  shall  be  rewarded,  etc.  etc.     But   what 
does  he  now  s»ay  and  do  1     After  the  letter  was  read  lo  us, 
what  docs  the  daring  navigator  and  great  and  noble  philan- 
thropist, Sir  J.hn  Franklin,  now  say  to  us?    Ho  talks  after 
this  fa'^hion  : — *•  Now,  men,  if  your  conduct  remains  good 
during  your  term  of  probaticm,    which    is  two  years  from 
the    time  you  commenced — it's  i»ow  you  know  two-thirds 
gone — I  «My,  if  your  conduct  remains  good  during  the  ex- 
piration of  the  two  yoars,  I  will  then  grant  you  the  ines- 
timabltj  privilege  of  tickets  of  leave — I  dontmean  to  leavo 
the  island,  but  iha  privilege  of  going  any  where  on  Jx* 
island.     You  will  have  to  report  yourselves  every  week  to 
some  police  oflicer,  that  we  may  know  you  have  not  es- 
caped.    (Here  he  commented  at  some  length  on  the  conse- 
quence of  attempting  an  escape  from  the  island,  the  enormi- 
ty of  our  crime,  and  that  we  ought  to  be  thankful  for  the 
great  privilege  of  tickets — it  was  the  next  step  to  freedom; 
he  now  tells  us  he  is  glad  our  conduct  has  been  so  good, 
and  that  he  has  such  a  favorable  letter  we  ought  to  feel 
thankful.)     If  your  conduct  remains  very  good,  you  may 


J  7  n^ '  p 

1  K". 

hi 

^  ;  1^' ' ' 

A 


K! 


J 


i 


;  r 


♦  t 


I 


I: 


I 


I  I 


-n 


It 


r».  -f 


100 


NARRATIVE  or  A 


get  your  tickets  bului'o  the  expiration  of  two  yeartt,  but  yuu 
uuffht  to  l>e  thankful  to  get  them  theu.'' 

He  said  something  more,  but  to  no  purposOt  and  then 
leaves  us.  Now,  we  had  sent  him  a  memorial,  requesting 
him  to  do  something  for  us  to  alloviate  our  distress.  Un- 
less something  was  immediately  done,  we  did  not  know  tho 
consequence.  We,  however,  received  nothing  but  abuse 
from  him.  Wo  had  thought  of  speaking  to  him  respect- 
ing our  treatment — but  finally  concluded  that  all  their  ras- 
cality  to  us  would  bo  sanctioned,  and  on  hearing  the  last 
speech  were  completely  disgusted,  and  determined  never  to 
ask  a  favor  of  such  a  barefaced,  hypocritical,  lying,  knavish 
old  turk  as  he  was,  although  her  Majesty's  representative 
and  favorite.  7'he  above  is  his  true  character,  which  can 
be  proved  by  oil  tho  American  state  prisoners  who  have 
survived  his  cruel  tyranny.  He  doubtless  had  his  instruc- 
tions in  regard  to  our  treotmcnt  from  bloody  Arthur,  who 
was  well  acquainted  with  tho  mode  of  punishment  in  Van 
Dieman's  Land,  for  it  was  from  this  place  he  waa  sent  to 
Canada.  Being  supposed  to  be  the  greatest  tyrant  in  her 
Majesty's  dominions,  he  was  thought  the  most  proper  man 
to  govern  the  Canadas  at  that  time. 

Now  our  abuse  ut  this  as  well  as  other  places,  increases  ; 
it  seemed  as  if  they  were  determined  to  drive  us  to  commit 
some  act  that  would  be  considered  worthy  of  capital  punish- 
ment, that  thoy  might  have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  us 
plunged  deeper  and  deeper  in  misery.  Seeing  ond  know- 
ing their  intentions,  we  tried  all  in  our  power  to  disappoint 
them.  We  knew  that  if  we  took  the  bush,  in  our  situation 
and  knowing  tho  situation  of  the  island,  we  never  should 
have  lived  to  reach  America.  After  being  deceived  and 
lied  to  so  long,  we  thought,  if  It  was  possible,  ^e  would  try 
to  obtain  our  tickets  and  then  make  a  trial  of  escape. 

Wright's  mean  low-lived  acts  increase  to  such  a  degree 
that  we  are  obliged  to  go  to  the  magistrate  with  a  complaint 
againstt  him.  8oon  after  the  last-mentioned  splendid  speech 
from  Sir  John,  (or  as  he  is  called  by  some,  the  old  granny, 
and  by  others  mutton-eater)  we  told  Mr.  Erskine  that  we  had 
put  up  with  Wright's  abuse  until  we  could  stand  it  no  longer, 
that  the  consequence  of  a  continuation  of  such  abuse  could 


fATtHMC  JUULE. 


loi 


noi  DO  oxplaioedf  and  we  hoped  ho  would  take  immodiaU; 
nivasut't'S  to  huve  him  or  us  removed,  before  something  cis'j 
occurred  which  Cduld  be  explainrd.  Ue  saw  we  wero  ia 
oarncst,  onci  tutd  us,  that  he  buing  u  superintendant  nnd  a 
freodinn  muMt  be  tried  lieforo  three  magistrates;  he  would 
bring  Mr.  Wright  to  trial  the  next  day,  und  we  must  appear 
RS  witiiessuM  ;  it  was  accoidingly  done.  Tho  magistrates^ 
being  convinced  ihut  we  would  not  remain  under  him,  caused 
us  to  bo  reenovcd  shortly  after  tho  trial,  to  another  place  cal- 
led Bridgewater  station,  twelve  miles  from  Hcibart  Town. 

It  is  now  winter.  On  account  of  some  difficulty  nt  tliat 
phico  with  the  old  hands,  (I'or  it  was  a  large  station,  and 
some  one  hundred  and  fifty  old  hands  in  tho  same  huts  with 
u>,)  after  being  here  two  or  three  weeks,  wo  saw  we  could 
not  get  along  without  a  field  fight  with  them.  Our  rations 
were  mostly  all  stolen  from  us  hero,  and  we  could  not  stand 
it.  Sir  John  had  advised  us  not  to  as>ociato  with  the  old 
hands.  Wo  told  tho  magi:«trute  here,  one  Mason,  that  we 
had  been  strictly  forbidden  to  be  with  the  old  hands.  Cer- 
tainly, if  ho  was  aware  of  it  he  would  not  allow  it.  This 
petty  magistrate  took  it  as  an  insult  against  his  n)»jesty,  and 
sent  immodiuiely  to  him  that  the  Canadians  had  accused  him 
of  not  keeping  his  promi  es,  and  some  other  complaints 
which  so  incensed  the  old  man  that  he  gave  orders  to  have 
us  immediately  removed,  by  separating  us  by  tens  and 
twelves,  and  sent  to  different  stations  about  the  island,  with 
the  old  hands.  You  can  begin  to  discover,  unless  you  arc 
totally  blind,  how  the  old  man  is  rewarding  our  good  conduct 
and  at  tho  same  time  keeping  his  word. 

Accordingly,  afior  receiving  a  mean,  low-lived  and  con- 
temptible address  from  squire  Mason,  of  New  Norfolk,  after 
remaining  at  Bridgewaler  station  about  three  weeks,  we  were 
told  to  step  b:ick  as  the  gang  were  mustered  in  the  morning 
for  work.  A  party  of  twelve  were  called  out  from  among 
us,  constables  called,  and  started  immediately  off,  giving 
them  no  time  to  bid  their  comrades  goodbye  and  not  know- 
ing whiiher  they  were  bound.  Our  party  was  then  put  to 
work,  wondering  what  was  the  cause  of  so  sudden  and 
strange  a  move.  But  this  is  tho  way  they  deal  with  prison- 
9t9,  never  letting  them  koow  when  or  where  they  are  bound. 


H 


j^i 


^\'  . 


t' ; 


K     I 


(V 


102 


NARBATIVE  OP  A 


': 


I    . 


.!■. 


Tt  i£j  consicfured  a  disg'rnce  oven  to  spoak  to  a  prisunor^  and  it 
is  never  dono  except  tu  punish  and  keep  them  in  aubjection. 
The  next  day,  another  company  of  ten  or  twelve  was  sent 
awny  in  the  same  mnnnor  as  the  first — next  duy  another, 
and  so  on,  until  all  wore  gone.  Myself  and  eight  others 
were  the  last;  wo  wore  escorted  to  Hobart  town,  and  put  in 
the  prisoner's  barracks,  or  tench.  The  yard  contains  near- 
ly two  acres  ;  around  it  is  a  high  wall,  and  on  top  broken 
glass  with  C(!mcnt,  to  prevent  scaling  it.  With  the  prison- 
ers barracks  arc  a  tread-mill,  clerk's  office,  cook-house,  &c. 
At  one  end  is  a  church,  with  cells  underneath,  generally  full. 
There  ore  generally  from  two  to  four  hundred  in  these  bar- 
racks. They  arc  capable  of  containing  a  thousand,  and  at 
times  there  are  that  many  there.  There  are  a  great  many 
overseers  and  constables  constantly  about  to  keep  order,  as 
well  as  hangmen  and  flagellators,  who  comprise  the  very 
worst  characters  that  can  be  selected  from  thousands.  Our 
|)arty  of  nine  were  there  four  weeks.  1  cannot  attempt  a 
description  of  what  took  placo  within  the  walls  of  these 
barracks  during  that  time.  There  were  chain  gangs,  with 
their  overseers,  mustered  every  morning,  and  sent  away  to 
work  at  different  places  about  the  city,  which  contains  some 
ton  or  twelve  thousand  inhabitants.  Some  of  the  gangs  are 
to  work  on  the  streets,  some  on  government  buildings,  som«» 
on  wharfs,  boats,  &c.  Wo  Mcro  taken  about  a  mile  from 
town  and  put  at  work  quarying  and  breaking  stone.  At  the 
same  place  was  a  gang  of  boys  of  about  eighty,  from  seven 
to  eighteen  years  of  oge,  employed  in  breaking  stone,  with 
overseers  over  them.  They  wero  obliged  to  break  a  certain 
quantity  or  be  punished  by  flogging  or  cells.  Many  of  them 
did  not  know  what  they  were  transported  for.  I  asked  them 
at  different  times,  as  I  had  opportunity  ;  some  would  say, 
for  picking  pockets  ;  some  thri  their  own  father  or  mother 
had  taught  them  to  steal  something  to  eat,  as  they  had  a 
largo  famdy,  and  were  starving ;  they  had  been  caught  in 
the  act  and  transported  seven  years.  Others,  that  their  pa- 
rents, believing  by  false  reports  in  newspapers,  &c.  ingeni- 
ously circulated,  that  Van  Diemans  is  a  fine  country,"  and 
having  a  large  family,  think  seme  of  their  children  will  do 
better  there ;    to  keep  them  from  starving  at  home  they  go 


;  f 


PATKIOT   EXILK. 


103 


bofore  a  magittrate  with  a  boy  of  perhaps  tweiv*  years  uld 
nnd  swear  he  has  been  stonling,  nnd  in  this  innnnor  get  rid 
of  some  of  the  family.  Others  knew  not  what  they  were 
there  for — wore  told  of  some  crimen  but  hud  no  knowledge; 
of  it. 

Our  overseer  was  on  elderly  man,  apparently  well  in- 
formed and  quito  sociable.  1  one  day  cunwnenccd  a  con- 
versation with  him,  by  asking  him  if  it  was  possible  that 
the  English  government  transported  boys  of  that  age,  many 
of  whom  knew  nothing  of  the  crime  for  which  they  were 
punished.  His  answer  was  diilerent  from  what  I  cxfiected. 
He  says,  there  are  not  only  hundreds  of  boys,  but  Icinules 
of  the  same  ago  and  many  older,  now  in  this  colony,  who 
are  suffering  all  the  degrndation  of  convicts,  who  only  know 
the  length  of  timo  they  were  sent  for,  and  ht'.vc  no  knowl- 
edge of  committing  any  crime.  Ho  continued  talking  for 
some  time,  conlirming  the  statements  nf  the  boys  above  allu- 
ded to.  I  know  it  to  be  the  fact,  said  he,  that  many  of  the 
poor  young  women,  being  obliged  to  be  servants  to  the  rich 
in  the  old  countries,  and  being  thought  nothing  of  on  ac- 
count of  their  poverty,  are  abused  and  insulted  in  every 
poHsibIc  manner,  by  noblemen's  sons.  Hundreds,  by  hav- 
ing fair  promises,  offers  of  marriage,  &c.  &c.,  have  advan- 
tage taken  o^  their  necessities,  and  when  they  consider 
themselves  about  to  be  disgraced  by  cxposurc,  get  some  oncj 
for  a  few  shillings  to  bring  them  before  a  magistrate  and 
swear  she  has  been  stealing  ;  and  perhaps  the  same  magis- 
trate that  passes  the  sentence  of  seven  years  transportation 
upon  the  poor  unfortunate  girl,  is  father  to  the  same  young 
gentleman,  as  he  is  called,  before  spoken  of.  Maybe  the 
father  was  not  acquainted  with  iho  circumstance,  until  the 
young  lady  attempts  to  defend  herself,  because  she  is  not 
able  to  employ  counsel.  The  father,  discovering  that  dis- 
grace and  guilt  is  like  to  fall  on  his  own  son,  instead  of  thu 
girl,  hushes  it  up  at  onco  by  having  her  sent  as  soon  as 
possible  to  Van  Dieman's  Land.  Thus  his  dutiful  son  is 
screened  and  protected  in  crime,  while  the  innocent  victim 
is  doomed  to  drag  out  a  miserable  Ii'fo  in  a  penal  colony, 
where  they  are  looked  upon  and  used  worse  than  the  brutes 
by  the  same  kind  of  characters  that  have  been  the  means  of 


f^*^ 


.1  : 


if  If  ■ 


1  V' 


Hi 


■  t, 


*i,^  -i 


I . 


I- 

f 


:ii; 


I: 


104 


NAARATIVE  OF  A 


sending  them  ther#.  This,  snid  he,  is  the  true  chnrnctcr 
of  the  nobility,  and  the  rirli  lordlings  and  tyrants  of  En- 
gland. Said  I,  are  you  an  Englishman  1  Yes,  said  he,  I 
am,  and  have  been  ruint'd  by  our  own  corrupt  government, 
as  millions  of  others  have  been.  I  know,  ho  continued, 
that  England  has  and  can  produce  some  of  the  worst  char- 
acters in  crime  of  any  nation  in  the  world  ;  but  what  makes 
them  1  I  assure  you  that  they  are  not  among  the  likes  of 
us,  poor  people,  that  they  are  to  bo  found,  but  amongst  the 
very  leading  characters  in  the  nation,  who,  to  hide  their 
own  crimes,  palm  them  off  upon  others,  and  so,  in  nine 
cases  out  of  len,  the  innocent  are  made  to  sij^ffer  instead 
of  the  actually  guilty.  O,  said  he,  you  Americans,  poor 
men,  I  feel  for  you  ;  I  have  heard  of  your  sufferings,  for 
what  1  consider  no  crime  at  all.  I  suppose,  said  he,  you 
of  course  know  something  of  the  manner  of  the  mnnugc- 
men!  of  England's  lordlings  over  the  poor,  and  the  means 
they  have  to  resort  to  to  support  monarchy  and  crush  the 
poor  to  death  that  they  may  keep  the  upper  hand.  He 
seemed  to  be  rejoiced  that  he  had  found  some  of  nearly  his 
own  opinion  respecting  England,  to  whom  he  need  not  be 
afraid  to  speak  his  mind.  He  appeared  to  be  so  well  in- 
formed and  anxious  to  talk  that  I  could  scarcely  say  a  word. 

The  tench  bell  rings,  which  is  the  signal  for  all  gangs 
within  hearing  to  quit  work.  Wo  are  ranked  up,  and  on 
our  way  to  the  tench  or  barracks,  spoke  to  each  other,  wonder- 
ing how  such  a  man  oecamo  overseer,  and  was  glad  We  had 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  have  him  over  us.  It  appeared  as  if 
it  were  a  miracle,  that  after  bl-ing  so  long  on  the  island,  we 
had  found  a  liberal  minded  overseer.  We  wondered  much, 
but  if  you  could  hear  all  hishistory,  as  he  afterwards  gave 
it  to  me,  you  might  wonder  to. 

We  have  now  got  to  the  tench  gate,  after  marching 
through  some  of  the  principal  streets  on  our  way  to  and 
from  work.  1  felt  at  first  a  little  ashamed  while  passing 
by  the  housc9  shabbily  clothed  in  a  convicts  suit  of  mngpye, 
but  when  1  considered  my  crime,  and  that  many  of  the 
citizens  had  been  convicts,  besides  many  more  ivell  dressed 
respectable  looking  men  called  freemen,  and  that  many  of 
the  nobility  ought  to  be  convicts,  and  the  prevailing  misery, 


!i!i 


k  m.^ 


tin  meter 
s  of  En- 
lid  hc>  I 
?rnment, 
mtinufd, 
rst  chnr- 
nt  rnnkcs 
J  likes  of 
ingst  ihe 
icie  their 
in  nine 
r  instead 
ins,  poor 
ings,  for 
he,  you 
mnnugc 
16  means 
crush  the 
and.     He 
lenrly  his 
»ed  not  be 
o  well  in- 
LV  a  word, 
all  gnngs 
ond  on 
r,  wonder- 
ad  \ire  had 
ared  as  if 
slond,we 
ed  much, 
rds  gave 

mrching 
ly  to  and 

passing 

mngpye, 

ly  of  the 

1  dreSKcd 

jmany  of 

misery, 


PATAIOT  SXILE. 


105 


and  the  little  notice  taken  of  the  j^risoner,  except  .o  punish 
for  not  touching  your  cap  as  these  scape-gallows  pass  you 
by — taking  these  things  into  consideration,  we  were  induced 
as  we  always  had  dono,  to  carry  our  hc^ids  up,  which  was 
a  great  wonderment  to  them.  V^  have  often  been  asked 
why  we  appeared  to  stand  our  punishment  so  well  I  Wo 
always  told  them  it  was  because  what  they  consideied  a 
groat  crime,  we  considered  an  honorable  action,  and  if  wo 
had  succeeded,  we  should  have  been  honored  instead  of  be- 
ing treated  us  we  were. 

Sometimes  we  have  to  stand  near  the  gate  half  or  three 
quarters  of  an  hour,  waiting  for  gangs  of  a  hundred  and  fifty 
or  two  hundred  to  pass  in,  each  gang  taking  their  turn  until 
all  are  in.  The  gate  is  then  locked.  Sentrys  are  placed 
day  and  night  at  the  gate. 

it  is  often  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  before  they  are  all 
in,  and  then  such  work  in  getting  our  skilly,   such  rattleing 
of  chains,  some  fighting,   others  trying  to  fight,  constables 
making  their  way  to  the  church  with  some  that  had  refused 
to  work,  or  that  had  given  insolence,  or  some  other  crime  so 
called.     1  said  to  the  church,  but  not  to  hear  the  praise  of 
the  good,  for  they  are  scarce  there  ;   but  they   are  drove, 
starved,  tired  and  discouraged,  to  take  their  night's  lodging 
under  the  church,  in  dark,  damp  cells,  with  no  sign  of  bed- 
ding; but  maybe  a  little  bread  and  water.  They  are  brought 
in  the  morning  before  Mr.  Gunn,  and  questioned  by  him  as 
to  their  crime,  and  how  they  came  in  the  <5ells  that  night. — 
In  the  bustle  and  confusion,  they  perhaps  know  not  who  put 
them  in  the  cells,  or  for  what,  being  hustled  in  by  some  con- 
stables.    Perhaps  the  same  constable,  not  being  on  duty  the 
night  before,  was  prowling  about  tho  city  in  a  convicts  dress, 
robbing  some  one,  and  immediately  changing  his  dress,  ap- 
pears as  peace  officer,   very  much  engaged  in  search  of  the 
ittolen  property  ;    he  had  previously  deposited  some  of  tho 
articles  in  the  birth  or  bundle  of  some  one  of  the  prisoners. 
There  is  soon  a  reward  offered  for  the  goods  and  thief,  per- 
haps fiv.^  pounds.    The  constable  now  appears  with  the  pris- 
oner's bundle  and  some  of  the  stolen  articles  ;  he  had  been 
on  the  look  out ;  knew  the   prisoners  would  be  brought  be- 
fore Mr.  Gunn,  Esq.,  and  as  lie  is  questioning  his  intended 


r 

;    .  1 

ili 

•f* 

'  ^ 

V, 

".\ 

•  k 

' 

1 

[u'{  ",1 

If 


:« 


v;» 


.* 


V 


106 


NARRATIVE  Ol^  A 


i? 


victitlil,  the  Constable  steps  up.  **  This  man,  sir,  was  out 
night  before  last,  sir — that  night  there  was  some  goods  sto. 
len,  sir.  1  mistrusted  him,  and  put  him  immediately  in  the 
cell,  sir,  and  on  searching  have  found  some  of  the  articles 
in  his  birth,  sir,"  (producing  them  rolled  up  in  the  prisoner's 
old  shin.)  Here  is  the  advertisement  describing  the  stolen 
goods,  likewise  the  reward.  Mr.  Gunn  looks  at  them,  and 
turns  to  the  prisoner's  police  register.  "  I  see,  I  see,  this 
is  one  of  the  prisoners  whose  time  has  nearly  expired,  and 
who  has  been  allowed  on  account  of  his  good  conduct  the 
privilege  of  going  out  at  evening  to  do  some  little  jobs  for 
himself,  but  could  not  keep  from  stealing  ;  what  a  pity  !  in 
a  few  days  you  would  be  due  for  your  ticket.''  The  con- 
stable leaving  no  stone  unturned,  there  can  be  no  mistake. 
"This  is  his  number  and  name  on  his  shirt,  sir,  that  the 
articles  were  rolled  up  in,  sir."  The  prisoner  attempting 
to  speak  in  his  own  defence,  the  magistrate  says,  *' Silence, 
you  can  suy  nothing  to  clear  yourself;  the  crime  is  plain 
enough  against  you.  I  shall  see  fit  to  give  you  fifty  lashes 
and  twelve  months  addition  to  your  original  sentence  on  the 
roads.     What  a  pity,  as  your  time  was  nearly  out." 

The  above  sentence  cannot  be  given  by  a  single  magistrate; 
there  must  be  two,  but  it  makes  no  diflerence  if  there  was  a 
dozen,  in  a  case  so  clear  as  this,  the  man  is  sure  to  besevere- 
ly  punished,  and  the  constable  gets  the  reward  and  his  name 
put  in  the  gazette  as  being  a  very  good  constable,  and  recom- 
mended for  higher  office.  I  mention  this  as  a  sample  of 
nearly  all  the  peace  officers.  Hundreds  of  poor  prisoners 
have  been  driven  to  desperation  by  such  and  similar  acts: 
the  consequence  is  they  become  what  is  termed  very  bad 
men,  and  sooner  or  later,  giving  up  all  hopes  to  end  their 
long  years  of  suifering  and  degradation  as  convicts — com- 
mit some  desperate  act,  on  purpose  to  end  their  days  on  the 
gallows,  nnd  their  bodies  are  then  mangled  by  young  students 
that  are  numerous  here  from  all  parts  of  the  old  country, 
being  allowed  all  the  subjects  tliey  want  amongst  the  prison- 
ers, to  practice  upon,  dead  or  alive.  I  would  advise  some 
of  the  faculty  in  this  country  that  are  obliged  to  rob  the 
graves  of  their  habitants  if  they  could  spare  the  time,  to  go 
to  Van  Dieman's,  where  they  can  have  plenty  of  subjects  to 


PATRIOT   KXILE. 


lot 


dispose  of  as  they  may  see  fit.  If  there  is  one  not  quite 
(lead,  and  is  wanted  for  that  purpose,  he  is  completely  in 
your  power — do  with  him  as  you  please — he  is  a  convict,  no 
one  will  enquire  for  him,  perhaps  all  his  friends  have  been 
convicts,  and  he  the  Inst  one  of  the  family,  left  for  slaughter; 
but  may  be  his  wife  knowing  ho  was  sent  to  a  penal  colony 
has  been  diligently  searching  him  out — tiie  last  account  site 
has  of  him  is  at  the  hospital.     She  may  now  be  there  asking 

you  if  you  know  anything  of  a  man  by  the  name  of . 

You  tell  her  you  dont  know  there  is  so  many  brought  to  the 
iiospital,  and  so  many  dying,  you  dont  remember  one  of  the 
name.  She  passes  on  to  another  and  finally  learns  there 
was  a  man  two  or  three  years  ago  by  the  name,  died  in  the 
ho.spital.  She  feels  a  little  better;  asks  to  bo  shown  his 
grave,  to  sooth  her  she  is  shown  the  grave  of  some  one  or 
pieces  of  ones — tells  her  he  is  sure  he  was  buried  there,  but 
it  is  a  long  time  ago,  tells  her  so,  that  she  may  not  venture  to 
take  him  up,  he  leaves  her  there — walks  off  laughing  to  him- 
self, thinking  how  he  had  fooled  the  old  woman,  but  no  mat- 
ter, if  she  is  satisfied  its  her  long  lost  husband,  its  just  as  well. 
The  poor  woman  is  now  mourning  over  the  grave,  as  she 
supposes,  of  her  husband,  broken  hearted,  pines  away;  is 
soon  taken  to  the  hospital,  there  you  have  her  also;  do  with 
her  as  you  please,  she  has  no  friends. — Thus  England  is  rid 
of  one  poor  family,  but  there  are  thousands  more  foUov  'ng 
them.  In  the  general  hospital  in  Hobart  Town,  passing 
the  door  of  the  dead  house  as  it  is  called  where  bodies  are 
deposited  as  soon  as  dead,  and  the  dissecting  room  contigious 
to  it,  I  could  see  all  round  the  room,  and  as  it  happened  there 
was  no  one  near  me,  I  stepped  to  the  door,  it  was  a 
large  room  with  tables  or  rather  benches  all  around  it — they 
were  all  filled  with  bodies,  some ,  whole,  but  mostly  pieces. 
In  one  place  lay  a  leg,  in  another  an  arm,  head,  &c.  iScc. 
Some  bodies  partly  covered,  others  quite  naked.  Some 
pieces  in  boxes  not  covered,  other  boxes  covered,  ready  to  be 
carried  away;  eight  or  ten  men  in  the  yard  dressed  in  long 
white  frocks  waiting  to  be  called  for — they  were  as  I  after- 
wards learnt,  constantly  employed  in  carrying  away  boxes 
with  remnants  from  this  and  the  dissecting  rooms.  As  1 
stood  gazing  with  wonder  and  astonishment  at  the  beautiful 


*  ■»•*  -^  "f  ^ 


■il 

\'\- 

h  ',> 

■•:   \ 

■V        ■< 

1 

I 

,1 

i. 

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f 

i     V      . 
> 

\> 

■ii 

'  ' 

■^ 

1 

t 

•  i 


\W  ^  i 


!' i^ 


'i  :    ... 


!*;   .' 


'iil"'! 


'  i 


f 


:| 


ii: 


t 
I 


lii. 


'4 


,'l 


pi 


108 


iiiit. 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


scenery  before  me,  a  man  behind  took  hold  of  my  shoulder, 
turning  me  suddenly  around;  "who  are  you?  who  told  you  to 
open  this  door?  what  business  have  you  here?  who  gave  you 
orders  to  look  in  here?'*  Ace.  &c,  ho  went  on  fo  fast  I  had  no 
chance  to  tell  him  that  the  door  was  open.  £ie  was  a  very 
savage  looking  man,  although  I  say  it  myself,  I  am  not  in  the 
habit  of  being  scared  at  trifles,  but  just  then  I  felt  a  little 
slreeked;  now  you  mny  laugh,  but  what  was  the  cause,  I  can- 
not say;  but  just  at  that  time,  I  thought  of  the  Morgan  scrape 
and  the  pr(»spect  of  being  blind-folded,  gaged,  bound  hand 
and  foot,  and  cast  not  into  Niagara  River,  but  prostrated  on 
a  dissecting  bench,  and  of  soon  feeling  sharp  edged  instru- 
ments.  such  as  surgeons  use  to  work  up  subjects  with,  but 
was  soon  reloived  of  my  fears  by  fmding  myselt  in  quick 
time  in  the  yard,  with  orders  not  to  come  in  again  without 
particular  business.  As  I  found  he  was  going  towards  the 
outer  door,  1  needed  very  little  compulsion,  for  that  was  the 
place  I  most  desired,  just  at  that  time*  On  my  arrival  in  the 
yard,  which  was  not  so  very  slow,  a  man  asked  me  what  was 
the  matter.  I  told  him  I  had  given  ofience  by  taking  a  peep 
in  the  dead  house,  '*  Well,"  said  he,  "no  one  is  allowed  to 
go  in  there  excepting  particular  persons."  He  appeared  lo 
bo  astonished;  "it  is  a  wonder,"  said  he,  "that  it  had  not 
been  your  last  peep."  I  said  nothing  respecting  the  door  being 
already  opened,  and  concluded  if  they  would  drop  it,  1 
would:  for  it  seemed  to  me  a  rather  unpleasant  piece  of  busi- 
ness— this  peeping  into  places  where  you  are  not  allowed. 
I  had  to  laugh  about  it  many  times  afterwards;  not  of  the 
scenery  inside — but  of  my  short  peep  and  manner  of  intro- 
duction to  "the  hole  the  carpenter  made."  You  may  be 
assured,  I  was  glad  when  I  got  into  the  yard.  For  some 
time  after,  it  seemed  as  though  I  couM  feel  the  sharp  instru- 
ments about  my  body;  at  all  events,  I  have  to  this  day,  sharp 
pains  in  my  body,  produced  by  the  tyrants  daggers,  that  have 
so  long  and  severely  pierced  me,  yet  I  live,  it  is  a  wonder  to 
me — and  I  am  very  confident  that  I  am  not  the  only  one  that 
can  testify  to  the  fact  of  having  pains  that  will  follow  them 
to  their  graves,  from  the  same  cause,  and  many  of  our  party, 
as  well  as  thousands  of  their  own  subjects  have  not  been  able 
to  withstand  their  repeated  thrusts,    have  been  obliged  to 


*i  K    It 


Patriot  exile.  100 

quail  beneath  them,  and  have  gone  down  to  a  fclon^s  grave, 
rejected  and  forsaken  of  man,  and  apparently  of  God;  but  is 
He  not  the  prisoners  God  ?  consider  this,  O,  yea  Pharisees 
and  hypocrites,  who  for  pretence,  make  long  prayers,  wolves 
in  sheep's  clothing,  who  devour  widow's  houses,  oppress  the 
poor,  <Scc.  &c.  1  have  reference  here  to  some  such  as  pre- 
tend to  preach  the  gospel  to  prisoners  in  Van  Diemans  Land, 
that  have  groat  salaries,  and  care  nothing  for  the  soul  of  the 
prisoner — faring  sumptuously,  and  have  been  known  to  be  so 
inebriated  with  liquor,  even  on  the  sabbath,  that  they  could 
not  stand  in  the  pulpit,  whilst  reading  the  old  thread-bare 
form,  which  consists  chiefly  in  reveranceing  Kings,  Queens 
and  earthly  lords.  1  have  reference  to  some  such  as  the  one 
who,  on  visiting  the  new  scaffold  that  had  been  erected  in 
place  of  the  old  one, — in  company  with  his  excellency 
and  some  others  and  being  asked  how  he  liked  it,  and  if  he 
thought  it  would  answer  the  purpose,  remarked  in  a  care- 
less manner,  '*he  supposed  it  would  do,  but  thought  it  was  not 
as  large  as  at  times  would  be  required;  I  think  said  he,  ten 
would  hang  comfortable,  but  twelve  would  bo  rather  crowd* 
ed.''  I  think  this  was  when  Arthur  was  there,  the  gallows 
was  not  large  enough  to  hang  them  as  fast  as  they  were  taken, 
alter  being  compelled  to  take  the  hush,  and  for  other  crimes 
they  were  driven  to.  I  was  credibly  informed  this  parson's 
salary  was  nearly  as  large  as  the  governors  and  was  a  man 
of  great  influence  in  government  atfairs,  always  in  atten- 
dance when  there  was  a  man  to  be  hung — not  so  much  to 
pray  and  give  him  comfort  in  his  last  moments,  as  to  make 
him  confess  (if  he  was  a  bush-ranger,)  where  his  plants  were 
concealed,  which  were  money,  watches,  jewcllry,  plate,  &c., 
which  they  often  have,  perhaps  taken  from  a  rich  settler, 
who  has  been  the  means  of  his  taking  the  busli.  Sometimes 
the  old  parson  as  he  is  called,  gels  hundreds  of  pounds  in 
this  manner,  and  as  soon  as  he  gets  all  the  information  nec- 
essary to  find  their  plants,  as  they  are  called,  is  in  a  great 
hurry  to  have  the  rope  put  around  the  prisoner's  neck,  a  short 
prayer  is  muttered*  a  form  offered  up  for  him,  and  the  parson 
goes  immediately  in  pursuit  of  the  plants,  in  this  manner  a 
a  great  many  things  are  recovered,  and  if  the  parson  is  hon- 
rst  enough  to  restore  them  to  the  owners,  is  generally  well 
9* 


r   f 

111 

■*■    * 


i 


■<% ' 


ii 


T.  J'     (  ^ 


i 


:!!i:i4 


%Y 


A 


!ii 


I', 


'i' 


IS"' 


110  NARRATIVE  or  A 

r*Tj  .-1Jii;t  ToiriTAi 

rewarded.  If  there  is  any  government  nroporty,  he  is  sure 
to  restore  it  and  by  government  sure  to  be  handsomely  reward- 
ed, and  so  he  is  considered  a  very  influential  and  nseful  man 
in  government.  He  is  however,  hated  by  the  prison  popula- 
tion, which  I  was  agoing  to  say  was  the  best  of  the  two, 
I  suppose  I  might  as  well  say  it  as  think  it,  but  are  not  the 
poor  prisoners  crushed  to  death  under  their  cruel  oppression? 
I  say  yes — are  they  his  own  crimes  altogether  for  which  he 
suffers?  I  say  no.  There  was  a  man  told  me  a  circum- 
stance that  took  place  in  the  women's  factory,  as  ii  is  called, 
Wh6re  there  are  hundreds  kept  to  work  with  overseers  over 
them;  it  is  the  largest  building  on  the  island*  done  off  with 
two  or  three  hundred  small  apartments,  just  large  enough  to 
contain  one  woman  and  a  wash  tub,  together  with  a  large 
square  room  to  muster  in,  **one  day,"  said  he,  "they  were 
all  called  from  their  different  apartments,  and  ranked  up  in 
the  large  room  by  their  overseers,  being  told  the  parson  wo  ild 
be  there  in  a  few  minutes;,  now  the  female  prisoners  had 
mostly  all  heard  of  the  old  parson,  and  of  his  anxiety  and 
delight  in  having  the  rope  put  around  the  necks  of  the  pris- 
oners; likewise  of  many  other  acts  not  very  honorable  for  a 
parson,  they  had  concluded  if  ho  ever  came  to  see  them  a- 
gain  and  talked  a.s  he  had  done  to  them  and  others,  about 
their  enormous  crimes,  &c.,  that  they  would  give  him  a  ben- 
efit. He  soon  came  in,  and  began  lecturing  them  by  telling 
them  of  the  enormity  of  their  crimes,  that  their  conduct  had 
been  disgraceful,  that  they  were  very  bad  women,  &;c.  &c., 
and  at  the  same  time  apparently  under  the  effects  of  old 
alcohol,  a  signal  given  by  some  one  of  the  ladies,  they  all 
made  a  rush  at  the  parson,  tore  off  his  clothes  completely,  got 
him  down  and  dragged  him  by  the  hair  two  or  three  times 
around  the  room,  he  at  the  same  time  halloing,  "murder  ! 
mnrder !  "  Some  of  tho  ladies  sang  out,  "tell  us  where 
your  plants  are,  as  you  have  made  hundreds  tell  you,  and 
then  be  in  a  great  haste  to  have  the  rope  put  around  their 
necks,  for  fear  they  might  live  to  tell  some  one  else."  At 
the  commencement  of  th«  row,  the  overseers  had  fled,  for 
fear  they  might  be  served  in  the  same  way — had  collected  a 
force  and  returned,  just  a&  they  were  trying  to  make  him 
tell  where  his  plants  were;  afler  much  troul^le)  they  succeed- 


#e 


s   ♦ 


\ 


l^AtVilut    fcXlLL. 


Ill 


cd  in  getting  tlie  rcvoreiid  gentleman  out  of  the  room  in  a 
perfect  state  of  nudity,  and  apparently  little  signs  of  life  re- 
maining, but  mostly  through  fright — "for,"  said  he  "all  they 
wanted  was  to  frighten  him,  he  being  a  tyrant  and  of  course 
a  coward.  Their  plan  succeeded  admirably."  Said  I  "was 
not  the  women  punished  ?  "  "yes,"  said  he  "I  believe  they 
wero  kept  in  the  cells  for  a  time,  on  bread  and  water,  and  he 
believed  the  old  parson  had  not  dared  to  venture  there  since, 
now  two  years.   •  -     o  %.      » 

He  lold  mo  much  more  about  the  parson,  but  some  may 
think  1  have  already  trespassed  ui)on  the  charrcter  and 
dignity  of  the  reverand  gentleman.  1  have  great  reverance 
for  good  men,  and  by  delinealing  the  character  of  some,  1 
would  not  be  considered  as  alluding  to  good  men  and  chris- 
tians, by  no  means,  for  I  believe  there  are  a  great  many  such 
in  the  world.  Would  to  God  there  were  many  more,  whose 
acts  would  show  that  thev  not  only  loved  God,  but  the 
creatures  he  had  made.  O,  that  Love  was  more  the  ruling 
principle  in  man.  Then  there  would  not  be  so  much  cruel- 
ty, oppression  and  tyranny  in  the  world.  Religion  does  not 
consist  in  great  profession  ol'  love  to  God,  and  at  the  same 
time  graspingjfor  salaries,  whereby  to  lord-it  over  the  people. 

I  was  at  another  time  listening  to  the  conversation  of  a 
couple  of  men  in  Van  Dieman's  Land,  respecting  a  parson 
who  was  in  the  habit  of  compelling  us  to  listen  to  the  old 
story  on  the  sabbath,  after  a  hard  weeks  toil  and  fatigue;  not 
a  man  of  us  but  who  would  have  considered  it  a  privilege  to 
have  rested  on  that  day;  but  no,  we  must  turn  out  to  hoar 
what  to  us  was  disgusting,  especially  from  the  source  it  came. 
They  were  talking  of  the  parson's  condnct  towai-ds  a  poor 
man  that  was  driving  a  few  sheep  to  the  market — but  on  his 
way  was  obliged  to  stop  overnight.  The  parson  happened  to 
be  near  the  road;  a&  it  was  quite  dusk,  the  man  asked  him  if  he 
knew  of  a  place  where  he  could  put  his  sheep  until  morning^and 
as  I^understood,  told  the  parson  that  he  was  out  of  money,  but 
on  his  return  from  market  would  pay  for  the  same.  The 
parson  told  him  he  could  turn  them  in  the  grave-yard,  there 
was  very  good- feed  there,  the  parson  ordered  the  gate  open- 
ed; the  sheep  #ere^put  in  and  the  gate  locked.  The  m^n 
caUed  in  the  moming  for  the  key  to  open  the  gate  that  he 


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It* 

112 


NARRATIVE  OY  A 


■'I.  H 


might  take  out  hi^  shoep,  but  was  told  he  must,  pay  I  think 
it  was  ten  shillings,  before  the  shec-p  were  taken  out.  The 
man  was  obliged  to  borrow  the  money  to  pay  the  demand, 
that  he  might  go  his  way.  "1  suppose,''  said  one  of  the  men, 
the  sum  demanded  would  amount  to  one  of  the  poor  man's 
iat  sheep,  I  believe  the  rai\n  offered  him  one,  but  by  demand- 
ing the  money  knowing  his  inability  to  pay,  he  expected  to 
get  two  of  them;  "but,"  said  he,  "the  good  man  was  disap- 
pointed. When  the  money  was  tendered  him.  of  course  he 
could  not  refuse  it."  Whether  this  was  true  or  not,  I  can- 
not say,  but  I  heard  a  number  speaking  of  the  circumstance 
and  all  corroborating  the  above  statement.  1  mention  these 
thingfl  to  show  you  that  the  reverend  gentlemen  appointed 
with  great  salaries,  to  teach  the  poor  prisoner  the  way  to 
Heaven;  belong  to  the  same  craft  with  these  who  tyranize 
and  oppress  tlin  poor,  and  are  supported  in  their  rascality  by 
government,  because  under  tiiegarb  of  the^clerical  suit,  they 
can  the  easier  blind  the  eyes  of  the  people,  and  are  some  of 
the  best  tools  England  has  for  deeds  of  blood.  I  have  been 
obliged  to  listen  10  the  prayers  of  some  that  have  told  me,  and 
others  with'me,  that  we  had  all  ought  to  be  hung,  that  they 
would  do  all  in  their  power  to  have  us  hung,  &c..  Still  we 
have  been  compelled  to  attend  their  service  as  christian 
teachers.  c 


■pt' 


s:;,lli?»»/ 


15-*    =»v. 


..I 


'Mtt- 


«'*/>■     f\i 


i  But  I  must  slop — not  through  fear  of  such  characters 
as  I  have  described,  but  of  wounding  the  feelings  of  chris- 
tians.  But  remember,  it  is  not  of  christians  I  have  been 
speaking.  God  deliver  us  from  the  hands  of  tyrants  wheth- 
er in  the  form  of  parsons  or  demons.  I  might  say  a  groat 
deal  upon  this  subject,  but  must  leave  it,  hoping  that  abler 
hands  may  take  it  up  and  fearlessly  defend  the  rights  of  man 
against  cruel  oppressors,  no  matter  how  powerful  they  may 
be,  it  is  every  good  man's  duty  to  oppose  them  whilst  he  has 
breath.  Have  they  not  ruined  Ireland  ?  have  they  not  only 
ruined  thousands  but  millions  in  every  country  where  they 
have  had  the  power  ?  o;  ;.  ; 

But  as  I  before  said,  we  remained  at  Hobav^  Town  four 
weeks  under  this  good  overseer,  but  on  thOivUfcount  of  his 
not  driving  us  to  desparation,  the  superinte^jfi^t  Mr.  Skean, 
not  only  threatned  to  punish  him,  but  threatii|d  us  all  with 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


-  rr 

il8 


severe  punishment  if  thero  was  not  more  work  done;  now 
every  man  of  us  wos  anxious  to  do  all  we  could  to  prevent 
this  overseer  from  being  punished,  but  all  wo  could  do  would 
not  satisfy  him— every  time  he  rode  out  to  see  us  (the  su- 
porintendant  is  allowed  a  horse  to  |  ride  around  to  the 
difTeront  gangs;)  his  duty  is  to  threaten  and  cause  punish- 
ment. He  came  around  every  day — hut  no  stated  time  in  the 
daVf  but  would  approach  from  a  direction  diilerent  from  what 
was  expected,  on  purpose  to  catch  some  one  idle,  and  it 
was  often  the  case.  He  would  send  him  at  once  to  the  cells, 
appear  himself  as  witness — the  prisoner  is  sure  to  bo  severely 
punished  under  this  functionary's  oath,  nothing  can  save 
him. 

Our  overseer  gave  mo  an  account  of  the  petty  officers, 
overseers,  dt^c,  on  the  island,  but  I  cannot  go  through  with 
all,  as  ho  told  me,  but  the  amount  of  it  was,  that  they  were 
obliged  to  bo  tyrants,  but  they  did  not  want  much  compul- 
sion, "for,''  said  he,  "I  believe  it  is  natural  for  an  English- 
man to  be  a  tyrant,  although  I  am  an  Englishman  myself, 
I  am  not  like  the  nost  of  them — after  being  ruined  by  their 
own  government,  think,  if  they  are  not  flogged  every  other 
day,  that  they  do  not  got  their  deserts;  and  after  having 
their  backs  literally  cut  in  pieces,  have  been  known  to  fight 
a  man  that  dared  to  speak  against  the  government. 

Ho  told  me  a  great  deal  that  many  would  not  believe — but 
ihat  I  had  seen,  and  known  to  be  true.  During  our  stay  in 
in  the  tench,  every  sabbath,  all  hands  were  ranked  up,  the 
names  all  called — and  nriarched  to  the  church — perhaps  five, 
six,  or  seven  hundred,  to  listen  to  the  old  tale,  from  men  who 
we  had  been  compelled  to  believe  our  enemies.  1  will  not 
attempt  a  description  of  the  scenery,  for  lam  confident  you 
would  not  believe  it. 

I  suppose  the  reader  has  got  tired  of  hearing  of  our  suff- 
erings— but  have  a  little  patience,  I  will  be  as  brief  as  possi- 
ble— the  relating  of  them  is  not  very  agreeablo  to  me,  but 
not  so  bad  as  enduring  all  and  more  than  I  have  time  or 
room  to  relate.  We  were  using  our  best  endeavors  to  please, 
hoping  Sir.  John  might  see  fit  to  show  some  signs  of  rewar- 
ding good  conduct,  by  giving  us  our  tickets,  as  he  had  inti- 
mated, before  the .  expiration   of  two  years.     Wt  had   not 


IV  I 


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0. 


114 


NARRATIVR  OF  A 


much  iutpGu — still  we  did  not  know  but  some  one  would  tell 
the  old  simpleton  that  ho  hod  punished  us  long  enough  with- 
out orders,  and  without  n  sentence.  But  wo  looked  in  vain 
lor  mercy  from  ihfit  quarter.  ""' 

The  clerks  were  busy  one  morning  calling  and  selecting 
out  a  parly  of  men  to  be  sent  nwoy;  amongst  the  number 
>vas  myself  and  eight  others  of  my  comrades.  We  started 
out  immediately  with  a  guard — for  when  they  are  ready  to 
move  a  party,  they  do  not  consult  with  you  as  to  whether 
you  are  willing  or  ready  to  go — you  have  nothing  to  say  in 
the  matter  whatever;  no  time  to  see  friends  or  to  settle  long 
standing  accounts,  away  you  go  at  once — you  need  not  ask 
your  ploce  of  destination*  for  you  are  not  your  own,  but 
belong  to  the  Queen  you  are  her  slaves.  She  has  a  great 
many  thousand  in  Van  Diemans  Land,  as  well  as  England 
and  other  pans.  She  is  very  rich,  if  you  call  holding  slaves 
riches.  But  if  all  accounts  are  true,  she  must  receive  a  great 
deal  of  money,  obtained  by  the  blood  and  sweat  of  these 
slaves,  as  well  as  by  the  sword  and  bayonet,  from  weaker  na- 
lions — but  I  am  a  getting  off  the  track  again.  I  might  hero 
say  a  great  deal  of  her  formidable  Banditti.  We  are  on  our 
way,  and  to  our  surprife  find  ourselves  in  about  an  hour's 
time,  on  board  a  government  schooner  and  very  snugly  stow- 
ed away  in  the  hold,  and  the  hatch  closed,  it  is  now  dark — 
daylight  was  denied  us  because  we  were  prisoners,  but  we  am 
here  in  the  dark  four  feet  eight  inches  between  decks;  there 
had  just  been  taken  therefrom  a  quantity  of  coal,  the  coal 
dust  together  with  bilge  water,  and  nusiance  tubs  left  no  place 
to  lay  or  even  sit  down,  on  account  of  the  number,  and 
obliged  to  stoop,  for  there  was  not  room  to  stand.  Taking 
all  these  things  ani  more  that  cannot  be  described  into  con- 
sideration, 3'^ou  may  be  assured  our  situation  was  not  one  to  be 
envied.  During  two  days  and  nights,  especially  after  put- 
ting to  sea.  the  little  bark  rolling  and  tumbling,  some  singing 
out.  "Oh  God !  I  am  dying,  get  off  of  my  head." — some  sea 
sick,  same  crying  water  for  God  sake  some  water,  I  shall  die." 
but  none  of  the  calls  were  responded  to,  except  by  curses  and 
imprecations,  saying,  "if  we  did  not  keep  quiet,  every  man 
would  be  taken  out  and  flogged."  Some  fire  or  six  when 
called  up  to  leave  the  crftft,  could  not  get  up   without    h«lp. 


Uj-i,    i?a    iv^-i^ 


li/!^^:' 


i'Atlllo'f   KXItE. 


115 


Here  xre  are,  cast  anchor  within  fifty  rods  of  what  are  call- 
ed the  coal  mines.  Some  thirty* fivo  or  forty  were  landed 
there,  about  thirty  together  with  ourselves,  not  exactly  tum- 
bled into  an  old  scow  with  six  oars;  but  some  being  weak 
and  feeble  fell  fomthoschoouer*s  side  into  iIjc  scow.  VV^o 
was  soon  started  off  across  the  bay  about  threo  miles,  landed, 
nnd  marched  up  to  a  station  in  the  bush,  about  a  hull'a  milo 
from  the  beach.  It  is  now  July,  the  second  winter  month; 
as  we  came  from  the  hold  of  the  schooner,  it  was  cold  and 
raining  quite  hard  and  continued  to  rain  during  our  passage 
across  the  bay  in  an  open  boat.  Wo  were  wet,  chilled  and 
starved  to  such  a  degree  that  it  was  with  much  difficulty  wo 
reached  the  station.  You  would  liave  laughed  to  have  seen 
us,  for  as  bad  as  it  was,  wo  had  to  laugh  at  each  other  to  think 
of  our  transformation  from  whito  slaves  into  black;  lor  the 
coal  dust  with  perspiration,  had  so  changed  our  complexion, 
we  hardlv  knew  each  other.  The  teoth  and  white  of  the 
eye  resembled  a  darkey,  but  llio  general  features,  lips,  nose, 
ibruhead,  &c.,  indicated  the  white  man.  But  in  our  situa- 
tion, it  made  very  little  difference  which  we  were.  And  to 
tell  you  the  truth,  the  superintendant  on  beholding  us,  felt 
ashamed  of  us;  you  must  know  we  looked  bad.  We  wero 
immediately  searched  or  frisked,  as  it  is  callcil.  This  is 
customary  at  every  new  station  we  arrive  at,  nnd  many 
limes  during  our  stay,  for  money,  tobacco,  or  any  articles 
not  allowed  by  government.  Wo  were  all  paraded  and 
searched;  my  health  was  poor  I  askod  the  superinten- 
dant if  it  was  possible  for  me  to  have  some  dry  clothes;  **no," 
said  he,  "  you  cant  change  your  clothing  here  as  you  might 
in  England;  even  if  you  had  to  steal  them,  they  im'ghi  bo 
had,  but  you  cant  steal  them  here."  1  then  asked  the  good 
man  if  there  was  a  doctor  on  the  station  '?  "no,"  said  he. 
•'there  will  be  one  here  to-morrow,  but  you  need  not  expect 
any  favars  from  him  unless  you  are  actually  sick."  I  then 
asked  him,  if  there  was  a  magistrate.  *'He  will  also  be 
hero  to-morrow:  do  yo;i  wish  to  see  them  both,"  I  do  said  I. 
"Well,  you  can  go  to  work  to  day,  and  see  how  you  are  to- 
morrow." One  or  two  of  my  comrades  sj/oke  and  told  the 
f}od  man,  Mr.  Pringle,  that  I  would  not  stand  it  long,  unless 
got  help;  but  it  was  of  no  use;  we  must  all  go  to  work;  it 


t\ 


'I 


111 


NAJIAATIVE  UF  A 


was  a  new  station,  there  were  aome  three  hundred  at  work 
grubing  treeu,  some  sawing  the  timber}  others  carrying  it 
together  in  larse  piles  for  burning,  some  carrying  baric  tor 
huts,  others  splitting  and  carrying  timber,  whilst  others  were 
employed  in  building  huts;  the  trees  were  grubed,  cut  and 
corried  togetlier  on  ten  or  twelve  acres.  There  were  thirty 
or  forty  employed  with  the  long  English  hoe,  digging  up  the 
earth.  Some  were  quarrying  stone  for  cells  others  drawing 
ihom  in  cnrts  about  a  mile  from  the  station,  other  s  engaged 
in  building  a  bridge  or  getty,  as  they  called  it,  across  tho 
creek,  rrom  which  the  station  derived  its  name,  Snltwatcr 
Creek  Station.  There  was  no  fresh  water  within  a  mile  and 
a  half  of  tile  station;  there  was  a  gang  of  ten  or  twelve 
employed  with  barrows  and  a  half  barrel  cask  fastened  oii 
each.  The  water  was  in  a  very  bad  place;  tho  gang  had  to 
go  three  quarters  of  a  mile  across  a  flat,  and  wiien  it  was 
high  tide,  they  had  that  distance  to  wheel  the  barrow,  loded, 
through  tnud  and  water,,  often  three  foot  in  depth;  and  when 
wo  came  to  tho  creek,  which  is  about  twenty  rods  across,  at 
timed  our  heads  were  all  you  could  discover.  It  was  n  slug- 
ish  stream;  with  very  little  current;  if  there  had  been  much 
of  a  current,  it  being  so  deep,  it  would  have  been  impossible 
to  have  lorded  it,  especially  with  loaded  barrows.  The 
water  was  cold,  for  it  is  now  winter,  there  was  no  snow  or 
ice,  but  cold  winds  and  rainy  disagreeable  weather. 

iMy  object  in  describing  this  place,  is,  because  it  is  the 
last  station  wo  had  anything  to  do  with,  and  wo  were  near 
ending  our  days  there.  There  were  constables  and  soldiers 
in  abundance,  to  prevent  tho  prisoners  from  taking  tho  bush, 
find  overseers  to  each  gang,  for  there  was  so  many  kinds  of 
work,  it  required  a  groat  many  overseers.  Some  gangs  of 
six,  some  of  twelve,  twenty,  thirty,  thirty  five,  &c.  There 
were  as  many  as  fifty  overseers,  and  nearly  as  many  differ- 
ent gangs,  There  was  two  gangs  of  boys,  of  about  twenty 
five  in  each,  from  nine  to  eighteen  years  of  oge.  At  this 
station,  as  well  as  all  others,  it  will  be  impossible  to  relate  all 
that  took  place,  but  I  shall  without  any  exageration  attempt 
a  description  of  a  part.  Now  please  to  consider  our  situa< 
lion  on  landing  there,  and  of  being  in  less  than  two   hours, 

^  vin  the  water  gang,  as  it  is  called.     It  was  considered  the 


PATlllOT  CXILE. 


iir 


worsi  place,  and  as  wo  afterwards  loarnt,  nil  were  sontoncod 
lu  tliiit  gang  for  punishment,  from  the  diirerenl  gnuffs,  but 
many  of  tlicni  were  rclonscd  as  we  arrived  to  take  tlioir 
places.  We  are  now  on  our  way  lor  water,  there  was* 
liirce  or  four  old  hands  ahead,  going  faster  than  a  walk,  tho 
overseer  singing  out,  "keep  up,  keep  u|i,"  we  are  now  cross« 
iiig  tho  flat,  water  a  little  above  our  knm j«i  but  growing 
(iueper, — now  crossing  the  creek,  water  ii[»  to  our  necks  and 
fiuito  chilly — After  we  got  througii  ^jvcrstor.)  ''fill  up  thorn 
barrels  quick." — soon  tilled;  "pick  up  vour  barrows  and 
move  on,  no  resting. '^  About  eighty  rods  from  tho  creok, 
ihe  low  land  was  rough  and  muddy.  We  are  now  back  and 
in  li)c  creek,  but  in  getting  up  the  bank,  some,  myseif  one, 
could  not  gut  our  barrows  up,  overseer  cursing  and  damning 
us  at  a  terrible  rale,  threatning  to  take  us  before  the  magis- 
U'tttc,  finally  having  his  own  sport  for  a  time,  he  orders 
some  of  ihoso  that  were  stroger,  that  had  got  through,  to 
take  hold  and  help  ns  up  the  bank.  Although  it  is  winter, 
we  are  now  very  warm,  the  sweat  rolling  from  us  in  streams. 
1  cannot  describe  my  feelings,  but  was  confident  in  my  situa- 
tion that  two  or  throe  trips  in  the  water  gang  would  put  art 
end  to  my  sufferings  in  Van  Dieman's  Land.  At  all  events 
1  was  determined  to  ask  no  more  favors,  let  it  come  as  it 
would,  but  J.  D.  Fero  one  of  my  comrades  and  a  fine  young 
man,  seeing  and  knowing  my  situation,  without  my  knowl- 
edge, went  to  the  superintendant  and  told  him  he  was  confi- 
dent that  I  could  not  stand  it  to  wheel  another  load  of 
water.  He  told  him  to  go  to  his  work,  but  just  as  we  were 
starting  back  for  another  load,  the  superintendant  called  out 
"Kobert  Marsh,"  I  answered,  "come  this  way,"  I  stepped  up 
to  him.  Said  ho  *4  heard  you  are  like  to  die  and  cant  stand* 
it  to  wheel."  Said  I,  did  notl  tell  you  that  I  wanted  to  see 
the  doctor,  that  1  was  quite  unwell.  "Yes,"  said  he,  "but 
there  are  so  many  complaining,  I  cannot  hear  to  all.  You 
can  go  to  the  hut,  the  doctor  will  be  here  to-morrow,  but  if 
you  are  not  sick  you  will  be  punished."  I  went  into  an 
open  hut  with  no  fire,  unrolled  my  old  blanket,  and  rugg, 
and  lay  down — being  wet  and  almost  worn  out.  I  had  by 
spells  through  the  night  cold  chills  and  a  high  fever,  slept 
none,  had  no  appetite,  and  could  not  eat  a  mouthful.  I  can- , 
10 


>   'T 


U: 


118 


4 

NARRATIVE  OP  A 


not  descrii)o  my  frolings,  but  I  had  very  little  hopes  of  ever 
rccovariug.  Ahoni  iioonlhe  next  day,  the  doctor  came  inio 
ihn  hilt  ami  rir;k.  d  if  ihcro  was  any  one  sick.  1  was  laying 
ill  my  hoi'ili  •••voi^  A  up,  before  I  liad  time  to  answer,  he  was 
told  by  yojuM  ouf,  tiier(!  was  none  sick  in  that  hut,  but  he 
iu'Iioviil  \\\iy\v.  way  one  in  the  next  one.  With  much 
didlcnliy,  \  g'»l  out  of  my  berth,  went  to  tlie  door  and  told 
thescMjtry  to  call  the  Joctoi'.  He  came  back,  ''Well,'*  said 
ho,  "vvhtit  is  llio  inaltcr  with  you,  why  did  you  not  speak 
when  I  was  in."  I  told  him  he  went  away  so  quick  I  had 
not  time,  i  at  oiic^  gavo  him  an  account  of  our  situation 
on  'arriving  tiiere,  and  of  my  treatment,  as  well  as  others, 
and  of  \\\\  complaint,  which  was  pain  in  the  breast  of  long 
standing,  that  I  had  told  Mr.  Pringall,  likewise  some  of  my 
companions  told  liin^i  {i\y  health  was  poor,  and  that  I  needed 
some  dry  clothing,  Ovc.,  He  gave  me  some  medicine  with 
directions,  and  said  I  must  keep  quiet.  He  went  to  Mr. 
FringuU,  told  him  ho  had  just  heard  a  very  bad  account  of 
him  and  if  liun,  h<j  deserved  punishment,  told  him  to  get 
some  dry  clothinpj  immediatel}',  and  cause  me  to  be  taken  the 
best  care  of  until  he  came  again.  In  about  a  week  I  began 
to  get  a  litlle  better  and  in  the  course  of  a  fortnight  the  doc- 
tor said  I  could  do  a  little  light  work,  but  must  be  very  care- 
ful, for  said  he,  "it  is  doubtful  whether  you  ever  get  over  the 
pain  in  your  breast.  I  told  him  I  had  been  exempt  from 
hard  labor  two  or  three  times,  since  I  had  been  on  the  island, 
but  wlinn  I  was  willing  to  do  all  I  could,  more  had  been  de- 
manded of  mo,  until  I  was  obliged  to  complain  to  the 
maoristratcs,  &c.  "'  '^:^^^  '^-^* 

.:''Th<!re  was  what  was  called  the  invalid  gang;  picking  up 
brush,  &c.  I  was  put  with  them  but  did  not  stay  long, 
Pringall  the  snperintcndant  had  marked  mo  for  severe  treat- 
ment, on  account  of  complaining  to  the  doctor,  which  had 
caused  him  a  severe  reprimand  from  him.  The  iiualid  gang 
was  ranked  up  every  morning  and  were  told  they  wore  much 
in  want  of  two  or  three  men  to  join  some  gang  that  was  at 
some  work  they  worn  in  a  great  hurry  to  have  done.  Now 
Pringall  durst  not  order  them  at  heavy  work  without  orders 
from  the  doctor,  but  would  ask  if  any  one  two  or  three  would 
volunteer  to  go,  ''Marsh,"  said  he,  "it  is  not  very  hard  work 


PATRIOT    KXII.R. 


119 


had  not  you  better  try  it."  1  told  him  tlio  doctor  had  given 
orders  for  lue  to  do  light  work.  "O,  well,''  said  he,  "that  is 
light  work;"  perhaps  the  first  day  the  overseer  may  iavor 
you  a  little,  but  you  are  soon  forgotten  as  being  nn  invalid 
and  obliged  to  do  the  samrj  as  the  rest  of  nhe  gang,  nlrhongli 
the  work  is  very  hard  and  you  aie  confident  it  is  injiirini- 
your  constitution,  yet  you  cannot  get  out  of  the  gniif^  indes". 
you  are  actually  down  sick.  Now,  I  was  not  sick,  hut  in 
constant  misery  from  pain  in  the  hrfinst.  Many  woro  llx' 
nigiits  I  never  closed  my  eyes  to  sleop  from  pain  f;iti<i;uc  and 
hunger,  for  our  rations  was  never  as  much  as  we  required; 
we  were  hungry  all  the  time,  unle!^.s  acifually  sick.  1  wns 
sent  in  the  bush  with  the  bush  gang.  Kach  gang  is  known 
by  the  work  they  are  doing;  sonio  wore  employed  pecliiig, 
some  cutting  trees  for  j)eeliii§,  which  was  ol'ien  a  mile  ;iiid  a 
half  from  the  station.  The  bark  was  green  nnd  henvy,  it 
was  from  trees  called  stringy  bark,  it  would  peel  similar  to 
our  hemlock,  and  grow  about  the  same  size.  The  trees 
were  mostly  all  cut  down  with  a  cross-cut  saw,  then  gurdel- 
ed  round  every  eight  or  ten  feel — the  bark  peeled  olF  whole 
and  is  used  for  covering  huts.  The  strips  were  very  unhan- 
dy to  carry,  we  were  obliged  to  Inv  them  on  our  hends. 
there  were  thirty  or  forty  in  single  iia,  t.u.h  «»ne  with  hip 
bark  on  his  head  travelling  through  the  bush,  with  the  over- 
seer givin^orders,  which  generally  was  "move  on,  there,  go 
a  little  faster."  If  you  did  not  obey  the  orders,  or  if  you 
stopped  to  rest  witliout  orders,  you  are  taken  at  'once  boibre 
tho  superintendant,  "this  man  disobeyed  my  orders,  sir,  he 
refused  to  carry  his  load  sir,"  and  he  is  put  in  the  cells,  and 
perhaps  lays  there  two  or  three  days,  before  ihn  magistrnte 
comes  on  the  station,  then  he  often  iin*?  ten  or  twelve  lo  try, 
and  scarcely  one  e.;<apes  pimishmontin  some  way,  either  by 
flogging  or  a  continuation  in  the  cells  perhaps  (en  days. 
When  they  eomo  on!,  they  look  lik«  skeletons,  but  are 
obliged  to  goimn»edir.;:^ly  to  work.  I  remained  in  this  gang 
three  days,  and  then  told  Mr.  Pringall  the  work  was  rather 
hard  for  mo,  lie  then  put  me  in"the  hoeing  gang,  digging 
up  the  earth  with  the  long  heavy  hoe;  "that,"  Raid  ho,  "will 
be  a  little  lighter.  I  remained  in  that  gang  four  days  and 
told  him  the  work  was  rather  hard.     He  then  put  mo  in  the 


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120 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


carrying  gang.  Said  he,  "you  can  carry  light  timber." 
There  were  three  gangs  at  v/crk  carrying  large  and  small 
timber  from  different  parts  of  the  bush,  for  the  bridge,  or 
getty,  as  they  called  it.  It  was  nearly  a  half  a  miie  in 
length  and  ten  feet  in  bredth,  it  was  to  extend  across  the  low 
land  and  creek,  where  there  was  a  stone  quarry,  and  fresh 
water.  There  were  two  gangs  of  twenty  ea«h,  engaged 
laying  the  large  timber.  Three  of  my  comrades  were  in 
that  place  through  the  winter^  they  were  obliged  to  be  in  the 
water  the  most  of  the  time,  up  to  their  knees,  and  all  the 
time  with  wet  feet.  ;)?/ 

I  was  sensible  there  was  no  use  in  complaining,  for  inva- 
riably, instead  of  bettering  my  condition,  Mr,  Pringle 
would  so  arrange  it,  that  it  would  be  harder  instead  of  light- 
er. I  continued  in  the  carrying  gQ-"g  some  time,  that  over- 
seer was  not  quileas  hard  as  some  others;  although  he  allow- 
ed md  to  carry  small  timber,  it  was  green,  and  heavy  for 
me  in  my  condition,  and  I  have  often  thought  that  if  my 
work  was  at  times  a  little  lighter  than  others,  that  scarcely 
a  man  in  the  whole  party  actually  suffered  as  much  as  I 
did.  Some  in  the  party  seemed  to  be  sensible  of  it,  and 
others  would  sometimes  complain,  thinking  their's  was  much 
harder  than  mine.  Even  if  1  had  done  nothing  at  all,  1  be- 
lieve my  actual  sufferings  exceeded  those  that  were  well 
and  able  to  do  heavy  work.  Scarcely  a  man  hawover,  but 
was  obliged  to  work  hai  der  than  he  was  able,  being  cold,  wet 
and  hungry — their  constitutions  have  been  ruined  forever. 
J  am  sure  mine  has.  Nearly  all  the  prisoners  at  this  place 
were  Irish,  but  English  overseers  and  officers,  and  I  can  as- 
sure you,  there  was  very  little  mercy  shown  the  poor  Irish- 
man. 

It  would  be  hard  for  you  to  credit  the  sticks  of  limber 
that  we  carried  on  the  shoulders  at  that  place,  recollect  all 
the  logging  was  done  by  hand.  We  had  no  cattle  as  wo 
have  in  this  country  to  draw  tho  logs  together.  The  tim- 
ber was  very  large  and  green,  they  had  to  make  very  largo 
piles  in  order  to  burn  them  which  required  a  groat  deal  of  it 
to  be  carried  eighty  ninety  and  one-hundred  rods.  The  men 
being  arranged  along  on  either  side,  the  overseer  sings  ouf, 
"pick  it  up,"  perhaps  after  two  or   three  trials  they  succeed 


iSfSlkfi-'rirr^' 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


«    131 


in  getting  it  on  their  shoulders;  orders  are  then  given  to 
move  on,  and  they  cannot  stop  until  they  reach  the  pile,  let 
the  distance  be  short  or  long.  Ifa  man  is  seen  to  flinch  un< 
der  the  enormous  weight,  which  some  being  taller  thnn  others 
are  obliged  to  do,  they  are  sent  at  once  to  the  cells,  tried, 
get  thirty  or  sixty  lashes,  and  set  to  work  at  once  with  the 
back  unmercifully  mangled  and  bleeding;  perhaps  before  it 
is  healed  gets  thirty  more.  I  am  aware  this  will  be  hard 
for  many  to  believe,  but  it  is  truth.  The  flngelator  is/i  pris- 
oner, and  it  he  fails  in  striking  with  all  his  might,  is  sure  to 
he  broke  of  his  billet  and  receive  the  lashes  himself.  There 
was  scarcely  a  day  that  we  were  not  ranked  up  on  the  square 
in  the  morning,  nnd  obliged  to  witness  one  or  more—  often 
five  or  six  flogged,  and  then  all  hands  marched  away  to 
their  work,  ten  was  the  highest  number  flogged  at  that 
place,  at  one  time,  the  flagellator  gave  out,  the  second  man 
was  called  to  finish  the  two  lasl.  There  was  one  man 
flogged  whose  age  was  sixty-one.  I  have  often  seen  men  of 
forty  and  fifty  years  of  age  lashed  hand  and  foot  to  the  tri- 
angles and  receive  sixty  lashes  on  their  bare  backs  and 
for  what  1  considered  no  crime  at  all.  There  was  a  man 
whose  business  it  was  to  travel  back  and  forth  from  this  place 
to  the  mines  every  other  day  with  despatches  for  the  officers 
of  the  different  stations.  The  coal  mines  are  eight  miles  by 
land  and  three  by  water.  One  day  he  told  us  he  saw  one- 
hundred  flogged  there,  before  he  left,  which  was  ten  o'clock. 
He  said  they  had  four  flagellators  and  four  tri-angles  at  the 
mines,  which  were  idle  scarcely  a  day  in  the  year.  It  is  a 
horrible  place,  we  used  to  hear  from  there  often,  and  have 
seen  many  with  their  backs  so  cut  in  pieces  that  they  were 
quite  crippled  for  life.  They  are  obliged  to  bring  a  sack 
of  two  bushel  stone  coal  on  their  backs  or  shoulders  through 
a  dark  narrow  passage  on  their  hands  and  knees,  thirty,  forty 
and  fifty  rods.  Many  unable  to  stand  it  long  fail,  and  are 
often  flogged  for  it. 

Port  Arthur  is  on  a  peninsula  and  likewise  our  station,  the 
distance  from  port  Arthur  being  fifteen  miles;  There  was  a 
party  of  forty  came  from  that  place  to  our  station;  they  had 
been  there  but  a  short  time  before  they  wished  themselves 
back.  Scarcely  a  man  of  them  but  said  the  work  was  a 
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mmtfptJ-wimttm^ 


122 


NARRATIVE  OV  A 


f 


great  deal  harder  than  at  Port  Arthur,  although  that  placo 
was  called  the  worst  on  the  island;  it  was  very  had,  hut 
ihey  thought  it  wfuj  not  as  h?ui  as  Halt  Water  Creek  Station. 
Wo  h(\'ud  Uy  ihern  from  our  friends  that  had  been  sent  there 
for  tajvini'  tlie  hush,  tlicv  were  all  well;  thev  told  us  they 
had  it  much  easier  than  we  did.  They  said  that  the  three 
or  four  first  weeks  ihey  had  it  very  hard,  we  were  glad  to 
hear  they  were  having  it  easier,  fur  we  had  feared,  according 
to  accounts  and  by  what  Sir  John  told  us,  that  they  never 
would  live  to  sec  Atnorica  or  any  other  j)art  of  the  globe — 
but  it  aji. eared  that  the  officers  there  (on  account  of  their 
being  ti  ic  fur  tiie  crime  they  were)  after  hearing  Sir 
John's  abusive  speech  to  iheni  concluded  to  treat  them  better. 
May  they  never  be  sorry  for  that  kind  act;  as  Miller  and 
Stewai^t  left  Oiirj)arly  for  the  purpose  of  getting  out  of  the 
hands  of  tyrant  and  had  it  been  in  their  power  to  haveassisted 
any  or  all  of  the  party  in  getting  away,  [  believe  they  would 
have  cono  so;  but  on  account  of  failing  in  the  attempt,  the 
wliolc  party  were  niide  to  buller.  Sir  John  did  not  only  in- 
tend to  havo  U3  all  shot  if  wo  took  the  bush,  but  was  going  to 
follow  us  to  the  United  States  if  we  succeeded  in  getting 
there,  and  bring  ns  nil  back.  Although  he  wns  a  big  mnu 
and  had  us  in  hi:^  power,  yet  I  believe  after  all  his  severity 
and  threats,  not  a  man  of  us  was  ever  very  mueh  frightened. 
After  we  had  been  nbout  four  months  atthis  placo,  Prin- 
gall  gave  out  word  at  evening  tliat  the  men  could  all  stop  in 
the  next  day,  thnt  his  e.xcellency  the  lieutenant  governor, 
was  expected  there;  we  must  all  appear  ns  well  as  possible; 
accordingly  about  noon  he  appears — we  were  in  rank  by 
ourselves.  After  he  had  delivered  one  of  his  splendid 
speeches,  to  the  party  in  general,  his  Royal  Highness'  eyes 
were  fixed  on  us,  "O,  these  are  some  of  the  Canadians, 
(turning  to  the  suporintendant)  how  has  their  conduct  been 
since  they  have  hern  here  ?"  "generally  good,  your  excel- 
lency.'^  '*!  am  glad  to  hear  it.  I  told  you  if  your  conduct 
remained  good  you  would  soon  get  your  tickets;  your  time 
will  soon  be  up  now,  nnd  I  shall  see  you  get  your  tickets  the 
verv  day  vou  nre  due  ("or  them.  1  hope  you  will  continue  to 
be  good  men,  t^c."'  Now  we  were  determined  to  ask  no 
favors  of  him,  after  lieinsr  to  us  so  often.       So  we  said  not  a 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


123 


word  to  him,  feeling  confident  his  word  was  good  for  nothing, 
lie  asked  if  the  men  all  attended  church  every  Sabbath,  nnd 
was  told  they  did.  "I  am  glad,  and  hopn  they  will  all  be- 
come better  men;  vou  all  camo  here  with  very  bad  charac- 
ters;  you  nre  sent  here  for  punishment,  though  yome  of  you 
have  commitK^d  greater  crimes  than  others,  and  some  per- 
haps worse  men  than  others — but  it  mnkes  no  tlifference; 
you  are  all  sent  here  for  punishment,  therefore  you  must  ex- 
pect it,  but  depend  upon  it,  men,  good  con:luct  shall  bo 
rewarded."  Now  1  was  not  the  only  one  that  was  perfectly 
satisfied  that  the  big  man  wns  not  only  fiattering,  but  wilfully 
tolling  falsehoods:  we  had  proved  him  to  be  a  man  destitute 
of  truth.  Now,  every  Sabbatli  the  men  were  all  ranked  up, 
and^their  names  called;  they  were  even  taken  from  the  cells 
and  all  marched  into  a  large  temporary  open'  building, 
denominated  the  church — a  temporary  pulpit  erected  at  ono 
end,  After  the  men  are  all  soatcd,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pringall, 
the  tyrant  superintendant  appears.  After  the  constables, 
overseers  and  soldiers  hnd  succeeded  in  enforcing  silence, 
some  present  that  hnd  the  day  bot'ore  been  flogged,  hundrrds 
that  had  been  at  different  times,  others  who  have  been  pun- 
ished in  different  forms,  are  now  favored  with  the  reading  of 
the  old  church  of  England  form  in  a  great  hurry,  by  JVIr. 
Pringall.  It  was  soon  through,  if  there  was  some  that  could 
not  sit  still,  being  in  misery  from  hard  labor  and  abuse,  their 
backs  sore  from  the  lashes,  &c.,  they  are  put  at  once  in  tho 
cells,  and  sure  to  be  punished  for  bad  conduct  in  time  of 
service.  Thus  the  prison.'^rs  in  Van  Pieman's  Land, 
although  outlaws  and  very  bad  men,  as  Sir  John  says,  after 
being  drove,  starved,  flogged,  kicked,  pounded  and  insultf>d  in 
every  possible  manner  through  tlic  week,  are  blest  with  di- 
vine service  on  the  Sabbath.  O,  what  an  inestimable  privi- 
lege; what  a  blessing,  had  not  the  poor  unfortunate  slaves  of 
happy  old  England  ought  to  feel  thankful  that  after  being 
ruined  and  driven  to  desperation,  insulted  and  abused  in  every 
possible  manner,  had  they  not  ought  to  rejoice  for  the  privi- 
lege of  hearing  the  gospel  on  the  Sabbath  day.  Service  is 
performed  to  satisfactorily  answer  the  question  that  may  bo 
asked,  how  are  the  poor  prisoners  treated  in  Van  Dieman*s 
land?   if  answered  by  a  prisoner  is  not  believed,  but  an   En- 


nil 

J-  ■ .  -^  I  '^ 


!,■       t 


124 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


1  '   * 


glish  gentleman  will  tell  you  they  have  all  the  privileges 
that  can  be  wished  for,  they  have  good  clothingt  g*"  ^d  provis- 
ions, good  comfortable  huts  and  bedding,  good  men  to  over- 
see them,  good  magistrates — finally  officers  all  good — and  to 
convince  you  that  England  is  a  good  and  christian  nation, 
tells  you  that  they  have  nt  a  great  expense  furnished  the 
prisoners  with  christian  ministers,  &c.  His  account  of  the 
prisoners  are  credited,  because  he  is  a  gentleman  and  perhaps 
is  sporting  on  the  prisoners  just  dues  at  the  same  time.  I 
mention  these  things  not  to  screen  the  man  that  justly  des- 
erves punishment.  I  believe  there  are  many  among  the 
prisoners  thnt  are  deserving  of  it,  but  in  nine  cases  out  of 
ten  they  are  punished  because  they  are  unfortunately  poor 
and  have  been  robbed  by  the  same  ones  that  are  oppressing 
and  grinding  them  to  the  dust;  and  to  show  you  at  the  same 
time,  that  ^he  prisoner  has  no  possible  chance  of  escape  or 
redress,  because  the  means  are  put  out  of  his  power,  they 
are  kept  so  they  have  no  hope  in  this  life,  no  friends,  nothing 
but  despair  and  grief  and  thousands  of  modes  of  sufferings 
that  cannot  be  easily  described  and  only  known  to  the  pris- 
oner; finally  they  sink  to  their  graves  neglected  and  soon 
forgotten,  felons  and  very  bad  men  and  women,  excuse  me 
for  1  cannot  express  my  feelings  on  this  subject,  although  I 
have  been  an  eye  witness  for  seven  years,  what  I  have  en- 
deavored to  say,  though  the  half  cannot  bo  told,  be  assured 
what  I  have  said  is  no  fiction.  I  have  experienced  it  and 
much  more,  but  I  am  not  the  only  one,  there  are  others  that 
have  returned  with  me,  ready  to  testify  to  more  than  I  can 
say  upon  the  subject,  in  this  pamphlet;  besides  about  forty 
more  remaining  in  Van  Dieman's  Land  when  I  left,  that  I 
will  warrant  you  will  not  be  backward,  if  they  should  ever 
be  so  fortunate  as  to  return,  in  confirming  the  truth  of  my 
statements  respeciing  the  oppressors. 

O  that  it  was  in  my  power  to  bring  them  from  that  hor- 
rible place  !  I  cannot  express  my  feelings  and  anxiety  in 
their*behalf.  '' 

We  remained  at  this  place  through  the  winter,  spring 
and  summer,  undergoing  many  changes,  but  always  for  the 
worse;  it  was  with  great  difficulty  we  survive  our  appointed 
time  of  probation.     At  last,  the  two  years  expired,  and  we 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


125 


informed  the  good  Mr.  Pringall  that  according  to  Sir  John's 
prorrlise  we  were  due  iw  oiir  tickets,  "yes,"  said  he,  "but 
there  is  no  vessel  here  to  lake  you  to  Hobart  Town,  but  I 
expect  the  government  schooner  here  in  a  few  days,  then 
you  can  go  to  town  and  get  your  tickets,  but  you  will  or.\v 
be  allowed  to  choose  a  district  in  the  interior,  and  there  re- 
main." But,  said  we,  Sir  John  told  us  we  would  havo  the 
privilege  of  the  island,[excepting  Hobart  Town  and  Launces- 
ton;  as  they  were  seaport  towns,  we  would  not  be  allowed  to 
stop  there  for  fear  we  would  make  our  escape.  "Well," 
said  he,  "this  is  the  order  of  the  governor;  you  can  come  up 
to  my  office  and  make  choice  of  your  district;"  We  wore 
not  acquainted  with  the  districts  and  did  not  know  which  was 
the  best  for  us;  we  could  all  choose  one-  district  if  thought 
proper,  but  must  remain  there;  he  had  the  names  of  seven 
for  us  to  choose  one  from;  he  told  us  he  believed  Oatland, 
and  Cambletown  districts  were  considered  two  as  good  as 
there  was;  we  chose  them;  not  knowing  which  was  the  best; 
"now,"  said  he,  "you  had  better  keep  on  with  your  work, 
the  schooner  will  be  here  in  a  short  time;  then  you  can  go 
to  town  and  get  your  tickets,  we  continued  on  five  weeks, 
and  the  sixth  week  the  schooner  arrived  with  a  load  of  pris- 
oners, and  we  together  with  some  fifty-six  others  were  stow- 
ed away  the  san-e  as  we  were  on  going  to  that  place,  and 
sullered  equally  as  much;  we  were  nearly  three  days  going 
to  town,  about  eighty  miles,  the  wind  not  being  favorable. 
Notwithstanding  all  that  went  were  due  for  their  tickets,  yet 
they  were  treated  the  same  as  other  prisoners,  on  board  that 
terrible  little  prison  schooner:  as  we  were  undergoing  all 
that  men  could  and  live  on  board  that  craft,  during  three  days 
and  nights,  we  reasoned  one  with  another  wondering  what 
our  destiny  would  be,  and  how  long  Sir  John  would  continue 
to  reward  us  after  that  manner,  for  good  conduct;  although 
her  Majesty's  representrtive,  can  you  doubt  his  being  a  liar? 
— excuse  me  for  using  the  term;  I  must  tell  my  opinion  and 
what  I  know  to  be  facts,  although  he  is  a  big  man.  I  know 
him  to  bo  one,  because  ho  promised  we  should  have  our  tick- 
ets nt  the  expiration  of  two  years,  and  that  it  should  be  for 
the  pri/ilegeof  the  whole  island,  except  Hobart  Town  and 
liaunceston.     Does  ho  reward  us  for  good  conduct  ?   no,  but 


\ 


1 


-  i 


i- ! !  i 


120 


NARRATIVR  OF  A 


continues  \o  punlslu — Did  ho  warn  us  not  to  associate  with 
the  old  hands?  yes, — did  he  sopernte  us  and  distribute  us  a- 
round  the  island  in  f>niall  parties  to  mix  with  the  old  hands  ? 
he  did, — did  not  ho  say  he  hoped  when  he  got  the  letter  from 
England  concerninsj  us,  that  it  would  bo  fuvorablo  and  when 
he  gets  the  letter,  was  iinot  in  his  power  to  shovv  us  somo 
more  favor,  than    ho    was   showing? — it  was.     Is  not   Sir 

,  John  Franklin,  Lieuicnaut  Governor  of  the  island  of  Van 
Dieman's  Land,  commander  in  chief  of  lior  Majesty's  forces 

f^,  therein,,, &c.,  a  big  man  and  a  big  liar  ?  I  positivly  declare 
that  he  iias  been  nothing  to  us  but  a  liar,  a  tyrant,  and  a 
villian  in  every  sense  of  tbo  terms.  Does  England  uphold 
him  in  such  conduct,  and  sulfer  us  to  bo  ruined  without  any 
recompense  or  chqnco  of  redress.  JThat  remains  Jio  bo 
known. 


UiTfJ 


r..     U 


l,'!.'' 


J-  (iiU  ¥i\n 

)^^>; 

■•Ifjr'jini ■''■"■'''  :•'  »''»»Y.  _ 

>'■-■■','<.'' 

t  ll'lf;. 

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i-j'i 

;^     CHAPTER 

VTl. 

f       -  y 

^Vv: 

rlt^    ^-^,t. 

kL  i  1 


h 


Receive  that  inestimahle    Treasure,  A  Ticket  of  Leave,  as 
iSir  John  terms  it,  or  next  thing  to  Liherfij. — Sfc.  S^c. 

We  arrived  at  Hobart  Town,  marched  about  one-half  or 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  barracks  or  tench,  scarcely 
able  to  stand  upon  our  feet,  get  into  the  yard,  sit,  or  rather 
fall  down  upon  the  ground*  You  cannot  imagine  our  con- 
dition; but  just  refer  back  to  our  condition  on  iioard  iho 
schooner,  and  on  our  landing  at  Saltwater  Creek  Station, 
and  you  may  form  some  faint  idea  of  our  situation  as  we  aro 
reclining  upon  the  earth  in  tiio  tench  yard;  amongst  thp 
rattling  of  chains,  tramping  and  clamor  of  some  five  or  six 
hundred,  we  crawled  into  one  comer  to  keep  from  being 
crushed  to  death  by  the  multitude;  there  we  remained  about 
two  hours  and  a  half; — it  is  now  sundown,  the  prisoners  are 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


127 


K  1 


^e   or  SIX 


all  ranked  ni),  their  immes  cnlled  ns  they  go  into  their  huin- 
blo  lodgings  for  the  night,  hungry,  tired  and  discouraged,  try 
to  obtain  rest  amongst  filth  and  vermin.       Our  names   wore 
not  called,  and  we  began  to  think  our  lodging  would  be  upon 
ihe  ground  that  night — it  is  quite  dark  and  still  in  the  yard, 
there  we  are  in  one  corner  reclining  upon  the  damp   earth, 
not  a  word  was  said  by  either  of  us  for  some  time.     1  cannot 
tell  their  thoughts,  neither  can  1  describe  my  own,  but  I    be- 
lieve we  were  all  thinking  of  our  fate:  at  Inst,  I  broke  silence 
by  remarking,   if   this    manner    of   Sir  John's   rewarding 
good   conduct   and  of  granting  indulgence,  continues  much 
longer,  although   wo   have  n»annged  to    bear     up  till  now, 
I  am  fearful  as  the  doctor  of  the  ship  told  us,  that  our  chance 
of  overseeing  our  native  land  was  rather  small.     After  re- 
maining there   until   about  ten  o'clock,  a   constable  on  the 
look-out  discovered  us;  "who  are  you,   what   business  have 
you  out  here  this  time  of  night,  was  you  not  mustered?"  we 
told   him  who   we    were,  and  that  wo  had  not  been  mustered 
since  leaving  the  schooner,   except  as  you  see   us,  and  our 
situation  induced  us  to  think,  that  would  be  our  last  muster, 
except  it  was  to  muster  what  little  strength  was  remaining  to 
bid  adieu  to  this  unpleasant  isle.?  "what,"  said  ho,  you  dont 
talk  of  taking  the  bush,  now  you  arc  due  lor  your  tickets  of 
leave?  why,  said  he,  I  thought  you  men    had   all   got    your 
tickets  two  months  ago,  I  am  sure  some   of  them    did;"   we 
said  we  did  not  know  but  that  wo  hnd  been  due    for    what  is 
called  tickets  of  leave,  nearly  two  months  ago,  but    what  it 
would  finally   amount  to,  was  nioro  than  wo  couM  say;  but, 
as  Sir  John  told  us  at  one  time  it  would  bo  next  thiniLjlo  freo- 
dom,  but  not  to  leave  the  island;  tlio  prospect    \v.<h    fair   for 
Sir  John  to  hold  our  bodies  and  noliiing  jnure,  for  tlio  pros- 
pect is  of  our  spiritvS..soon  leaving  them,  either   in  the  hands 
of  Sir  John,  or  tF)e- surgeons,  but    it  will    make  very    little 
(lifFerence.  *VV ell,' said  he,  •!  should  think  it  was  time  you  was 
mustered  into  some   place  for  the  nigbt,"  said  1,  it  appears 
our  warrantor  sentence  is  lost;  "what  do  you  moan  by  that," 
said  he,  "I  thought  you  were  all  sent   here   for  life;  it  does 
certainly  seem  that  our  life  is  what  they  are  after,  but  it  is  a 
singular  way  of  punishing  a  man  for  life'  without  receiving 
1  sentence  of  any  kind,  either  for  life  or  death;  "well,"  said 


'i,; 


it:'  Hi 


'I' ; 


I'! 


128 


NARRATIVX  OF  A 


he,  "what  do  you  mean  by  your  warrant  or  ^sentence:*'    I 
moan  the  list  of   our  names;  it  must  be  lost,  or   we  would 
be  mustered.  ,*why,"  said  he,  "do  you  coll  that  a  scnlonce," 
1  dont  know  what  it  would  be  called   in  a  court  of  justice, 
but  that  is  all  the  sentence  we  ever  had  passed  upon  us,  but 
perhaps  they  may  think  by  calling  over  our  names  and  mus- 
tering us  some  thousands  of  tim^  and  compelling  us  to   be- 
come slaves  and  treating  us  as  such  for  the  last  three  years, 
will  answer  every  purpose  of  receiving  a  sentence;  it  seems 
it  has  answered  the  purpose  so  far,  butl  think  if  the  list  or 
warrant  is  lost,  they  had  ought  to  let  us  go  free.     But  hark, 
the  clerk  sings  out,  "where  are  them  Canadians  that  come  in 
to  day  on  the  governrftent  schooner."     "Here  they  arc  sir," 
sings  out  the  constable;"  "fetch  them  this  way."     The  war- 
rant is  not  lost,  our   names  are  called, — constable   speaks, 
"these  men  say  they  never  received  a   sentence,  sir,"  clerk, 
"silence,  I  should  judge  they  were  satisfied  by  this  time  their 
sentence  was  life;  what  business  is  it  to  you  what  their  sen- 
tence is  1   take  them  away,"  constable,  "there  are  no  vacuui 
berths  for  them  sir."     Clerk — "put  them  in  the  old  barracks 
across  the  way;"   *'that  place  is  full  sir.,'     *'Well,  try,   1 
think  you  can  stow  them  away."     "They  say  they  have  hud 
nothing  to  eat  to  day,   sir,"  "no  matter,  its  too  late  now, 
they  must  wait  until  morning."     We  move  off,  scarcely  able 
to  stand;  the  door  of  the  barrack  opens;  there  are  no  berths 
and  some  twenty-five  or  thirty   lay  on   the  floor,  the  room 
apparently  stowed  full,  the  constable  sings  out,  "m-^ke  room 
here,  lay  closer  together,  we  crowd  in,  unroll  our  filthy  bed- 
ding, which  was  our  old  blanket  and   cotton  rugg,  that   was 
dealt  out  to  us  the  first  night  on  landing  at  Sandy   Bay  Sta- 
tion.    All  prisoners  are  obliged  to  carry  their  bedding   with 
them  wherever  they  go,  to  the  different   stations  about  the 
island,  until  they  are  completely  worn  out.     VVe   laid  down 
as  well  as  we  could,  but   in   our  condition   could   not  sleep 
much  during  the  night.     We  turn  out  early  in  the  morning, 
but  our  names  not  being  amongst  the  class  of  laboring  men, 
there  was  no  notice  taken  of  us  until  they  were  all   through 
with  their  breakfast,  or  pint  of  skilly,  mustered  and  away  to 
their  work.     We  being  left,  were  asked  who  we   were;  on 
being  told,  we  were  called  to  the  office,  our  names  called 


PAttlldt   EXILK. 


1    0 


Aver,  and  was  told  by  the  clferk  to  wait  a  short  iitnt  in  f* 
yard;  that  he  would  see  Mr.  (4unn  and  learn  what  was  to  b'^ 
done  with  us.  Now  we  had  ent  nothing  of  any  consequent  9 
for  the  last  three  days.  I  asked  the  clerk  whether  it  was  on 
the  accoant  of  good  or  bad  conduct  that  our  rations  had  bevfi 
stopped.  As  hd  hrfd  our  warrantor  list  of  names,  I  supposed 
he  would  know.  He  made  no  reply,  except,  "I  will  seo.'* 
We  lay  or  sat  in  the  yard  until  noon,  determined  not  to  ask 
ogain.  When  the  men  came  in  for  their  dinner,  it  was  men- 
tioned in  talking  with  some  of  them,  that  wo  had  had  noth* 
ingto  eat  for  three  days,  to  speak  of.  Although  they  had 
not  enough  for  their  own  dinner,  they  willingly  shared  their 
scanty  allowance  with  us.  We  lived  in  thAt-way  until  the 
second  day,  when  we  were  again  called,  our  namei  repeated 
over  by  the  clerk,  and  were  sent  with  %me  constables  to  the 
uhiefpolice  magistrate's  office,  and  received  a  small  bit  of 
paper  signifying  that  we  must  proceed  forthwith  to  oar  dis- 
trict, and  there  remain,  and  to  report  ourselves  to  the  chief 
police  constable  in  thai  district  every  Saturday  night  If 
we  failed  in  so  doing,  or  was  caught  out  of  our  district,  we 
would  be  liable  to  lose  our  tickets  and  be  put  back  on  the 
roads  again.  We  went  back  to  the  tench  and  two  days  ra- 
tions was  weighed  out  to  each.  We  was  told,  we  would  be 
allowed  two  days  to  get  to  our  district. 

We  have  now,  after  serving  six  weeks  over  the  two  years 
got  what  is  called  a  ticket  of  leave  ;  but  Sir  John  told  u» 
it  would  not  be  to  leave  the  island,  but  that  we  could  go  any 
where  on  the  island,  except  the  two  sea-port  towns.  It 
finally  turns  out  that  we  can  go  nowhere,  excepting  in  our 
district,  under  a  penalty  of  losing  what  he  called  tho  next 
thing  to  freedom,  ond  of  being  put  on  the  rdads  again.  We 
had  been  due  for  slops  and  clothing  three  months  before 
leaving  Salt  Creek  Station;  we  were  very  ragged,  and  some 
of  us  had  scarcely  a  sign  of  a  shoe  to  our  feet.  Add  to 
that  our  feeble  state  by  being  worked,  starved  and  abused  in 
every  possible  manner,  during  two  years  and  six  weeks  in 
that  horrible  place,  and  about  fifteen  months  before  landing 
of  sufferings  that  cannot  be  described,  and  now  just  from< 
that  horrible  little  prison  schooner,  with  scarcely  anything 
to  sustain  life  for  the  last  three  days.    Behold  us  now  with 

11 


u,  1 » •■ 


Mj ; 


t-.j 


i 


It 


.1 


'■ 

,'■1   .  !     ' 


il  !. 


190 


NARRATIVB  or  A 


M 


k' 


our  old  ragged  and  filthy  boHding,  our  poor  mutton  and 
ooarM  breud  upon  our  tiacks,  and  not  a  farthing  to  pay  for 
the  least  thin^  on  the  road,  about  to  undertake  a  journey  in 
the  interior  ol  55  miles,  among«t  strangers,  not  knowing 
whether  wo  will  be  able  to  meet  with  any  one  on  arriving  in 
our  district,  that  would  employ  us,  or  even  permit  us  to  work 
for  our  victuals.  I  can  assure  you  the  prospect  seemed 
rather  gloomy. 

We  accordingly  start  ofT,  about  the  middle  of  the  day, 
with  strict  orders  not  to  tarry  on  the  way,  for  if  we  failed 
in  being  in  our  district  at  the  time  allowed  us,  we  would  be 
liable  to  bo  taken  up  by  constables  and  severely  punished. 
We  had  not  got  over  three  miles,  when  we  were  met  by  a 
policeman,  who  demanded  an  account  of  ourselves.  We 
atonce  told  him  we  were  what  Sir  John  denominated  ticket 
of  leave  men.  Baid  he,  I  am  not  allowed  to  take  your  word 
for  thtit;  produce  your  tickets ;  we,  of  course,  having  that 
little  inestimable  treasure  which  Sir  John  termed  next  thing 
to  freedom,  were  compelled  to  show  them  in  less  than 
three  hours  from  the  time  of  receiving  them.  He  looks  at 
them  and  smiles.  Said  he,  **•  that  is  as  singular  a  ticket  of 
leave  as  I  over  saw.  Why,  you  are  confined  to  one  district 
only.  It's  very  hard  times,  just  now,  and  if  you  should  fail 
in  getting  employment  there,  what  will  you  do,  as  you  are 
not  allowed  to  go  to  any  other  placel  The  Government 
deals  very  singularly  with  you  Canadians,  as  near  as  I 
can  learn,  the  Governor  had  no  business  to  receive  you 
in  the  colony.  I  understand  you  never  received  any  sen< 
tence."  Wo  said,  **no,  we  were  tried  by  a  carrupt  court 
martial  in  Canada,  and  hustled  away,  our  destination  being 
unknown  to  us,  and  I  believe  to  the  people  generally,  and 
afterfifteen  months  unheard  of  sufferings,  especially  in  this 
enlightened  age,  we  were  finally  landed  at  this  prison  is- 
land ; — having  no  sentence,  the  governor  was  apparently 
at  a  toss  to  know  what  to  do  with  us,  but  finally  concluded 
to  put  us  at  work  on  his  highways.  After  we  had  labored 
about  ten  and  a  half  months,  the  loyal  general  finally  con- 
cluded he  would  honor  us  with  a  sentence,  which  was  to 
labor  two  years  on  the  roads,  but  with  repeated  promises 
however  that  good    conduct  should  be   rewarded.     There 


PATIIIOT  mUlLU. 


Itl 


has  never  been  any  thing  but  a  continual  eilbrt  on  our  part 
to  sustain  a  good  character,  though  everything  seemed  to 
oppose  us  ;  but  after  struggling  through  the  two  year«, 
with  an  addition  of  six  weeks,  we  are  at  last  in  possession  of 
what  you  now  see.  Look  at  that  bit  of  paper,  and  then 
upon  our  situation  us  to  clothing  and  ability  to  sustain  our* 
selves,  even  if  we  were  able  to  labor  for  wages.  The  pros- 
pect appeared  very  gloomy,  but  in  our  present  plight  it  looks 
still  more  gloomy/'  Ho  said  he  was  a  ticket-of-leave  man, 
and  was  serving  out  hr-i  time,  which  was  two  years,  as 
mounted  police-innn.  It  was  not  in  his  power  to  render  us 
any  assistance,  but  he  felt  sorry  for  us — ho  had  heard  we 
were  welUbchaved  men,  and  government  ought  to  feel 
ashamed  to  treat  us  in  the  manner  they  had.  it  cannot  bf; 
possible  that  the  home  government  is  uware  of  Sir  John's 
treatment  of  you.  Said  I,  it  is  very  evident  ho  has  receiv- 
ed private  orders  from  government  to  treat  us  with  such 
severity,  for  ho  is  too  big  a  coward  to  do  it  on  his  own  res- 
ponsibility—that it  appeared  to  be  a  smuggled  up  piece  of 
business  altogether,  from  beginning  to  end.  There  appear 
od  to  be  a  plenty  of  law,  but  in  our  cases  there  has  been 
neither  law  nor  justice.  Where  law  and  power  fails  in 
Bng'and,  intrigue  and  bribery  is  a  substitute.  O  yes,  said 
he,  England  is  getting  very  corrupt.  VVell,  good  by,  take 
care  of  yourselves  as  well  as  you  can  ;  it  is  a  shame  that 
you  should  be  treated  in  this  manner,  for  what  1  consider 
no  crime  at  ail.  There  needs  a  rebellion,  or  something  else 
here,  good  bye. 

Now,  kind  reader,  just  imagine  yourself  in  a  foreign  land, 
destitute  of  friends,  no  money,  no  clothes,  discouraged, 
sick,  and  worn  out  by  hard  labor,  a  substitute  for  horses 
and  oxen,  starved  and  insulted  in  various  forms  that  cannot 
be  described,  for  nearly  three  and  a  half  years,  and  meet- 
ing a  stranger,  in  all  appeurancea  man  of  knowledge,  ad- 
dressing you,  though  in  a  policeman's  garb,  ..with  words  of 
sympathy  and  kindness,  do  you  think  you  could  manifest 
ony  other  than  feelings  of  gratitude,  and  rejoice  to  see  such 
a  man,  though  sorry  to  see  him  obliged  to  serve  the  govern- 
ment which  he  despised  '(  1  know  not  what  your  feelings 
would  be,   but  those  were  mine,  as  he  disappeared  in  the 


^ 


in" 


*. 


i     I 


J. 


!■ 


( 


il< 


■'  iii 


& 


if 


llm 


\mKi 


182 


NARRATIVl  Of  A 


:i 


11 
it' 


distance.  1  felt  as  though  I  had  lost  a  friend.  These  few 
words  of  kindness  seemed  to  revive  us  a  little,  as  we  moved 
slowly  along  ;  for  our  feeble  condition,  with  sore  feet, 
made  it  impossible  for  us  to  go  very  fast.  We  met  four 
constables  during  that  afternoon,  each  one  demanding  who 
we  were.  To  each  one  we  had  to  produce  what  was  cull- 
ed next  thing  to  freedom,  which  would  allow  us  to  go  on  u 
mile,  perhaps,  before  it  must  be  shown  again. 

Night  comes  and  finds  us  about  nine  miles  from  Hobarl 
town;  we  find  lodging  in  a  shepherd's  hut;  although  it 
was  on  the  ground,  there  was  a  temporary  covering  to  the 
hut.  We  got  a  frying-pan  of  the  shepherd,  but  when  wo 
had  our  mutton  ready  for  frying,  found  not  a  particle  of  fat. 
So  we  were  obliged  to  boil  it  in  the  pan.  We  had  to  go 
nearly  a  mile  for  some  water,  and  then  partook  of  our  hum- 
ble fare.  Being  tired,  we  spread  out  our  old  blankets,  and 
soon  fell  asleep.  Morning  came,  and  two  of  the  party,  upon 
being  told  we  were  ready  to  start,  exclaimed,  **  why  the  bell 
has  not  yet  rung.^'  Upon  being  told,  it  had,  and  the  gang 
had  all  gone  out  to  work,  they  sprang  up,  apparently  in  a 
complete  state  of  bewilderment.  This  was  tlie  first  night 
for  two  years  that  we  had  been  allowed  a  good  night's  sleep 
without  being  obliged  to  turn  out  at  the  ring  of  the  sta- 
tion bell ;  it  appeared  very  odd  to  us.  We  took  our  bite  of 
coarse  bread  and  poor  moat,  and  started  off,  met  a  number 
of  constables  and  policemen,  all  demanding  a  view  of  our 
little  treasure.  Nothing  of  consequence  occurred  that  day. 
The  feet  of  some  of  our  party  were  so  sore  that  they  could 
not  wear  their  shoes,  and  some,  having  none  to  wear,  might 
be  traced  by  the  blood  caused  by  the  sharp  flint-stone  thnt 
wo  were  obliged  to  travel  on  for  miles  on  some  parts  of  the 
road.  Night  comes  ;  we  can  find  no  shelter,  but  build  a 
little  fire  in  the  edge  of  the  bush,  not  far  from  the  road.  We 
roasted  some  of  our  meat  on  the  coals,  and  camped  down  ; 
1  when  the  fire-  got  low,  and  we  chilly,  we  got  up  and  re- 
newed it.  Presently,  a  constable  sings  out,  who  is  there  ? 
On  being  told,  he  said  it  was  contrary  to  orders  to  have  a 
fire  ki'idiod  in  the.  bush.  We  asked  him  what  nKsn  were  to 
do  who  were  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  bqsh.  VVell,  said  he, 
they  must  sleep  without  fire  ;  there  are  so  many  bush  ran- 


^ 


PATRIOT  BXILB. 


138 


g^rs  about,  we  might  be  taken  for  some,  and  punished. — 
lutf  said  I,  we  are  ticket-of-]eave  men  ;  certainly,  we  will 
not  be  punished  for  sleeping  in  the  bush,  when  we  can  get 
no  other  place  to  sleep.  Says  he,  it  is  against  the.  law, 
you  must  find  some  other  place.  "^  *   '  '•  < 

Here  we  are  in  a  fine  quandary  ; — must  be  at  a  certain 
place  in  two  dayu,  a  distance  of  55  miles,  and  in  our  situa- 
tion not  able  to  get  over  15  miles  a  day,  and  that  with  great 
diiHculty — no  money  to  pay  for  a  night's  lodging — no  one  to 
give  as  a  lodging — not  allowed    to  lay  in  the  bush,  with  or 
without  fire — what  are  we  to  do?     Why,    said  I,  what  do 
we  want  more,  have  wo  not  got  a  ticket  of  leave,  which  the 
Governor  said  was  next  thing  to  freedom  ? — are  we  not  al- 
most free  ?     Yes,    says  one,    we  are  almost  free  to  be  no- 
where, and  stil!  bound  under  the  penalty  of  severe  punish- 
ment if  we  are  not  at  a  certain  place  at  a  certain  time.  Yes, 
says  another,  wo  have   finally  got  the  indulgence  that  has 
been  so  long  promised  us.     Well,  said  the  constable,  there 
is  a  vacant  hut  about  a  mile  further  on  ;  you  had  better  go 
there.     We  finally  proceed  in  search   of  the   hut ;    it   was 
quite  dark  ;  we  could    not   see  over  ten  feet  to  distinguish 
anything.     We  searched  some  time,   and  at  last  found  it ; 
wo  went  in,  kindled  a  little  fire,  spread  down  our  blankets 
on  the  ground,  which  they  very  much  resembled  although 
they  were  once  white,     Peing  very  tired,  we   slept  rather 
late  in  the  morning.     We  had  a  small   quantity  of  provis- 
ions loft,— roasted  ail  we  had,  which   was   not   enough   to 
satisfy  our  appetites.     It  is  now  all  gone,  and  we  half  way 
to  our  district.     We  start  on  ;  that  forenoon  meet  two  con- 
stables, with  five  female  prisoners.     They   demanded  our 
protection,  and  on  finding  we  were  some  of  the  Canadian 
prisoners,  told  us  some  of  our  comrads  had  got  their  tick- 
ets two  months  ngo — said  there  were  a  number  scattered 
about  in  CameUown  district,  but  it  was  very  hard   times, 
and  many  of  them  are  at  work  for  tlieir  board,  and  get  very 
poor  board  at  that.     He  believed  there  were  some  that  had 
taken  some  land  to  work  of  a  gentleman  by  the  name  of 
W.  Kommodc,  living  on  the  edge  of  Cameltown   district. 
Thero  were  two  or  three  of  our  party  who  had  made  choice 
of  Oatland  district,  which  we  bad  to  pass  through,  and  were 


i'li^ 


■  n 


134 


NARRATIVE  or  A 


within  eight  mites  of  (he  eOge  of  it.  The  island  is  set  off 
id  (Jistrtcts,  some  larger  than  others;  they  vary  from  ten  to 
twenty  miles  in  length  and  breadth.  Some  of  them  are 
more  thickly  settled  and  better  than  others. 

All  the  best  of  the  land  has  been  taken  up  by  rich  men 
from  tingland,  there  having  been  u  law  passed  to  favor  the 
aristocracy,  by  granting  them  an  acre  of  land  for  every 
pounu  .  arrency  they  might  bring  into  the  colony.  All  they 
had  to  do  was  to  show  tho  amount  they  had  on  landing,  and 
they  could  go  at  once  and  make  choice  of  the  land.  This 
law  continued  in  force  until  all  the  best  of  the  land  was 
taken  up  by  rich  men,  that  they  might  more  easily  have  it 
in  their  power  to  keep  the  upper  hands  of  the  poor  Inhorin^^ 
man,  and  continue  to  crush  him  to  the  dust.  There  wen; 
many  who  stood  ready,  knowing  the  scheme  beforehand, 
and  having  had  a  voice  in  getting  up  and  passing  the  act, 
to  flock  to  the  island,  some  having  twenty,  thirty, 
er  forty  thousand  pounds  which,  of  course  was  all  the  recom- 
mend that  was  required  by  the  governor,  who  undorstood 
the  game;  all  they  had  to  do  was  to  show  the  money,  which 
was  a  sure  sign  that  thay  belonged  to  the  clun  ;  the  best 
of  the  land  was  thus  soon  taken  up  by  these  gentlemen,  aiul 
what  was  left  the  poor  man  hud  the  privilege  of  purchasing 
at  an  eno-rmous  price.  y;?    '^.m.  mu 

On  our  way  from  Hobart  townj^^  every  three  to  six  miles 
we  would  pass  a  very  fine  farm  or  estate  as  they  are  called, 
with  fine  buildings.  The  gentleman  owner,  though  it  cost 
him  nothing,  is  allowed  as  many  slaves  from  government 
as  he  wants  to  grub  and  till  his  land  ;  the  lady  is  allowed  as 
many  female  servants  us  she  wishes,  and  if  they  do  not 
suit,  prefers  some  charge  against  tTiem,  and  sends  them  in 
to  government ;  you  may  see  them  coming  and  going,  some 
one,  two,  three,  or  six,  in  charge  of  constables,  continually 
on  the  road  for  punishment  one  way  or  the  other.  The 
constables  in  charge  of  those  five  females  appeared  sociable. 
I  asked  them  what  their  crimes  had  been  that  they  wore 
going  to  be  punished  for.  The  women  speaking,  said  it  was 
tor  disobedience  of  orders  ;  the  lady  that  they  had  been  ser- 
vants to  was  a  regular  tiger,  (term  for  tyrant)  do  all  they 
coM  she  was  not  satisfied,   would  require  more  work  done 


i. 


PATRIOT    BXILE. 


135 


than  they  could  possibly  performt  and  in  failing  sends  them 
back  to  the  factory  or  work-house  that  1  have  before  alluded 
to,  situated  near  Hobart  town  ;  they  are  there  put  to  the 
wash  tub*  perhaps  three  months,  for  punishment,  to  satisfy 
lady  so  and  so,  and  others  sent  her  instead. 

These  rich  men's  wives  or  ladies,  are  generally  well 
known  by  the  officers  throughout  the  colony,  and  those  are 
considered  the  greatest  and  richest  ladies  who  have  the 
most  servants  or  slaves,  and  cause  the  greatest  number  to  be 
sent  in  for  punishment  on  account  of  disobedience  of  orders; 
and  the  excuse  is  often  that  they  cannot  do  her  work  in 
good  style ;  this  is  for  a  show-olf,  to  make  the  people  think 
iijhe  being  such  a  great  lady,  so  very  particular  and  nice, 
cannot  find  servants  that  know  how  to  do  the  work  in  the 
style  she  wants,  and  thus  she  has  thirty  or  forty  difterent 
servants  sent  in  every  year  for  punishment,  and  new  ones 
s?ent  to  her.  Such  a  one  is  called  by  the  servants  a  tiger, 
nnd  by  the  nobility,  a  great  lady.  Her  husband  is  perhaps 
a  member  of  the  Governor's  council,  or  a  magistrate,  and 
ns  big  a  tyrant  as  his  lady.  The  gentleman  often  has  forty 
or  fifty  slaves  to  work  on  his  estate,  and  selects  the  worst 
ono  or  two  for  overseers  over  tho  rest,  and  if  he  does  not 
halve  the  work  done  and  in  good  style,  is  broke  of  his  billet 
and  put  in  the  gang  to  wOrk,  and  others  tried  until  the  ty- 
rant  is  found  who  will  suit  the  gentleman,  who  is  driven 
around  his  estate  in  a  carriage  by  a  slave,  as  often  as  two 
or  throe  limes  a  week  to  inspect  tho  work.  When  he  ap- 
proaches, the  prisoner  is  obliged  to  touch  his  old  skull  cap, 
find  must  say  yes  sir  and  no  sii  to  questions  that  he  moy 
ask  ;  but  he  hardly  ever  speaks  to  any  one  except  the  over- 
seers ;  they  are  held  accountable  for  everything,  and  if  a 
man  does  not  do  exactly  as  he  is  bid  by  his  companion  over- 
seer, he  is  at  once  taken  before  the  master,  with  a  long  list 
of  complaints,  and  of  course  must  be  severely  punished, 
to  support  the  overseer  in  his  rascality  and  tyrann>.  Many 
are  the  men  who  have  been  driven  in  this  way  to  take  the 
bush,  and  are  then  consitkjred  out-laws,  highway  robbers, 
Ate,  and  a  reward  offered  for  them  dead  or  alive.  They 
are  sure  to  be  taken  sooner  or  later,  and  thus  their  career 
in  this  life  closes  ;  they  are  what  are  termed  very  bad  men, 


)*  .t? 


•;i;: 


■  i^-"' 


'  <A' 


136 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


f  m 


.■>f^:     'I 


\i'  m 


but  if  you  had  been  a  spectator,  or  experienced  what  I  have 
during  the  last  six  or  seven  years  in  that  horrible  place,  me- 
thinks  you  would  not  be  long  in  makingup  your  mind  which 
was  the  worst,  the  servant  or  his  master.  1  am  fully  con- 
vinced that  with  very  few  exceptions,  the  master,  or  gentle- 
man, or  tiger,  whatever  you  may  pjease  to  call  him,  is  ma- 
ny degrees  worse  than  the  white  prisoner,  servant  or  slave, 
as  you  please  to  tenn  him.  it    ifi?y««i^   *tt 

We  are  now  in  Oatland  district ;  the  persons  who  took 
their  tickets  for  that  district,  call  at  a  gentleman's  house,  or 
rather  at  his  slave's  huts,  and  Inquire  if  the  gentleman  is  at 
home ;  being  told  he  was,  one  of  them  steps  to  the  front 
door  and  knocks  ;  a  servant  opens  the  door,  and  discovering 
by  his  dress  that  he  was  not  a  gentleman,  but  a  prisoner, 
tells  him  to  go  round  at  the  other  door  and  wait  outside  ; 
she  would  tell  her  master  ;  he  stands  there  nearly  half  an 
hour  ;  at  last  the  master  appears.  **  Well,  what  do  you 
want  ?''  '*  I  called  to  sec  if  you  stood  in  need  of  a  jnan." 
•*  No,"  said  he,  •*  I  have  got  more  now  than  I  want;"  he 
turns  and  leaves  him.  Uocollect,  we  had  finished  the  last 
of  our  rations  that  morning  ;  it  was  now  about  noon.  We 
stopped  at  the  next  gentleman's  house  and  tried  for  work, 
but  could  get  none ;  we  asked  the  gentleman  if  we  could 
have  a  bite  to  eat,  as  our  rations  were  not  sufiicicnt  to  last 
us  to  our  district ;  we  had  eaten  the  last  that  morning  ;  we 
told  him  it  was  impossible  in  our  situation  to  get  along  any 
faster;  but  he  could  not  wait  to  hear  the  story,  and  with 
looks  of  contempt  turned  away,  replying,  ♦*  O,  there  are  so 
many  beggars  in  this  country,  it  will  not  do  to  listen  to  all ; 
you  cannot  have  anything  here,  you  had  ought  to  have  trav- 
elled farther  in  a  day,  and  you  would  have  got  through  be- 
fore your  rations  were  gone."  The  good  man  is  gone, 
and  we  travel  on,  not  knowing  what  to  do  to  obtain  a  little 
something  to  keep  from  starving.  There  is  nothing  said, 
but  I  assure  you  there  was  a  tremendous  thinking.  At  last, 
one  speaks: — *♦  What  shall  we  do?"  •'  Why,"  savs  one, 
•*  we  must  make  another  trial  at  the  next  gentleman^s  house 
and  if  that  fail,  must  try  the  poor  prisoners  or  slaves  ;  ( 
think  if  it  is  in  their  power,  they  will  assist  us  :  remember 
the  prisoners  in  the   tench  shared  their  scanty  allowance 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


137 


with  us,  when  we  were  in  u  starving  condition  ;  they  know 
better  how  to  feel  for  men  in  our  condition  thnn  the  rich." 
We  made  another  trial  at  the  next  gentleman's  estate,  but 
fatted  ;  our  situation  was  becoming  extremely  precarious  ; 
we  moved  slowly  along,  Ixsing  very  tired  and  faint.  If  any 
of  my  readers  have  been  so  situated,  that  they  could  not 
obtain  a  mouthful  of  food  to  sustain  life,  for  as  it  w(3re  one 
dny  only,  you  mny  form  some  faint  idea  of  our  present  sit- 
uation ;  but  add  to  it  two  years  and  six  weeks  while  we 
were  on  the  roads,  during  which  time  wo  never  saw  a  day 
or  night  but  that  wc  retired  to  our  humble  lodging  tired  and 
hungry,  and  withmany  more  inconveniences  that  cannot  be 
easily  portrayed.  VVc  travel  on  ;  near  night  we  came  to 
an  old  hut  sttmding  some  sixty  rods  back  from  tho  road  ; — 
one  that  was  considered  the  best  able  was  dispatched  to  sec 
what  tho  prospect  was  of  getting  a  little  something  to  eat ; 
we  set  watching  ;  presently  he  came  to  the  door  and  gave 
us  a  signal  to  follow ;  we  went  in  and  found  a  prisoner 
who  was  serving  his  i,imc  with  a  gentleman  as  a  shepherd; 
he  said  he  had  charge  of  two  thousand  sheep,  and  in  case 
of  loosing  one  was  liable  to  he  severely  punished.  He  said 
he  had  a  certain  quantity  of  provisions  weighed  out  to  him 
weekly  had  to  cook,  and  did  his  own  washing.  His  allowance 
of  provisions  was  of  very  poor  quality,  and  not  sufficient, 
''but,"  said  he,  "you  must  have  a  part  of  it.  1  will  man- 
age to  get  a  little  more  ;  if  not,  I  can  stand  it  through  the 
week  on  short  allowance,  but  as  it  is,  it  iii  short  enongh." 
We  told  him  if  it  was  going  to  distress  him,  we  would  not 
accept  it.  *»But,"  said  he,  *' no  excuses,  you  are  in  a 
starving  condition  ;  I  will  manage  some  way."  He  at  once 
set  about  preparing  such  as  he  had,  though  it  was  not  of 
the  best  quality,  it  was  very  acceptable,  and  to  all  appear- 
ance was  bestowed  with  u  willing  heart.  I  must  here  say, 
that  in  almost  every  instance  thai  we  have  received  favors 
il  has  been  from  those  least  able  to  bestow  them.  I  know 
this  ia  not  saying  much  in  favor  of  the  rich  or  covetous 
man.  mu^  »t»j  uiiw 

After  thanking  the  shepherd  for  his  hospitality  to  us,  afler 
we  had  been  denied  a  crumb  from  the  gentleman's  table,  so 
called,  we  procedod  on  our  journey,   reflecting  whether  the 


ll^rv 


1-: 


f\H.M 


'V 


m 


1S8 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


ip' 


real  gentleman  and  lady  were  not  the  most  often  to  be  found 
amongst  the  poor  and  despised  of  our  race.  O  that  there 
were  more  wealthy  men  and  women  deserving  the  appella- 
tion of  gentlemen  and  ladies  ;  then  there  would  not  be  so 
much  suliering  in  the  world.  O  the  thousands  that  I  have 
seen  of  the  unfortunate  poor,  who  are  held  as  with  an  iron 
grasp  by  the  hand  of  the  cruel  oppressor.  My  heart  bleeds 
for  them.  May  the  tyrants  arm  be  palzied,  and  the  slaves 
go  free.  If  there  were  not  so  muny  grasping  after  wealth 
and  power,  and  when  it  is  obtained,  however  dishonestly, 
using  it  in  acts  of  tyranny  and  oppressian,  there  would  not 
be  so  many  prisoners  or  slaves.  1  will  not  relate  all  that 
occurred  on  that  tedious  journey,  but  our  prospects  continue 
about  the  same  as  on  the  two  first  days.  On  the  fourth  day, 
we  arrive  on  the  estate  of  William  Kommodc,  wliere  we 
found  some  ten  or  twelve  of  our  comrads  that  we  had  not 
seen  since  our  separation  at  Bridge  water  station.  They  had 
been  to  different  stations.  Some  of  them  had  experienced 
better  treatment  than  others,  but  it  was  generally  bad  ;  but 
their  different  statements  confirms  what  1  before  i^emarked, 
that  a  number  of  men  being  prisoners  and  in  the  same  place 
may  experience  different  treatment,  without  regard  to  con- 
duct. Some  may  be  more  fortunate  than  others  in  regard 
to  overseers,  supcrintendants^  magistrates,  doctors,  dec.  &c. 
The  English  government  have  not  dealt  justly  with  those 
engaged  in  the  rebellion;  some  thntw  ere  not  guilty*  that  are 
what  they  term  guilty,  have  sufiered  on  the  gallows,  or 
transportation,  while  others  that  have  been  deeply  involved, 
have  lK3cn  more  fortunate  ;  a  great  number  of  such  have 
escaped  punishment  altogether.  I  am  glad  there  was  no 
more  punished  with  that  severity  which  many  have  experi- 
enced, though  equally  as  guilty,  (if  guilt  it  can  be  called  ;) 
as  they  have  fortunately  escaped,  they  should  not  altogether 
desert  their  colors  and  those  engaged  in  what  was  and  1 
hope  still  »s  considered  a  good  cause.  I  hope  there  are  still 
not  only  thousands  but  millions  that  are  ready  to  step  forth 
and  declare  not  only  the  unjustness  of  our  punishment,  but 
their  eternal  hatred  of  tyrants.  Canada,  wake  up!  never 
submit  or  yield  one  inch  to  the  tyrants  wo  have  been  so  long 
revelling  and  sporting  on  your  inalienable  rights.     So  long 


w^ 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


139 


i 


as  you  quietly  submit,  so  long  will  thu  abuse  continue.  1 
believe  the  rebellion  of  *JJ7-9,  though  it  did  not  succeed, 
yet  hfid  II  tendency  to  open  tho  eyes  and  cars  of  the  tyrant 
clan»  and  to  grant  you  some  litllc  indulgencics,  in  order  to 
quiet  you — but  look  out,  be  on  your  guard.  That  little  yield- 
ing on  their  part,  has  been  only  to  let  go  the  reins,  in  order 
to  get  a  tighter  hold.  1  say,  look  out,  or  the  chains  will  be 
round  not  only  your  necks,  but  your  legs  and  arms,  and 
riveted  fast  that  you  cannot  move  hand  or  foot.  This  op- 
pressivc  clan  lay  their  plans  deep.  Therefore,  if  you  have 
gained  one  inch,  look  sharp,  and  add  to  that  another,  and 
so  continue  to  strengthen  your  posts,  that  when  the  enemy 
makes  his  last  and  desperato  death  struggle  for  your  rights, 
you  may  be  prepared  to  meet  him,  for  depend  upon  it,  it  will 
bo  made  sooner  or  later.  Reformers  of  Canada,  you  are 
engaged  in  a  good  cause  !  maintain  your  rights  !  Though 
you  may  be  told  your  cause  is  not  good,  believe  it  nnt.  It 
is  told  you  by  designing  sycophants,  who  will  resort  to  all 
manner  of  intrigue  to  compass  their  ends.  The  longer  you 
listen  to  such  tales,  the  longer  you  will  remain  in  bonds. — 
[•Have  you  not  yet  learned  who  are  your  enemies  ?  if  not, 
continue  to  bear  the  burthens,  until  you  have  no  longer 
strength  to  withstand  your  oppressors. 

Mr.  Kommode,  the  old  gentleman,  as  he  must  bo  called, 
because  he  was  a  membor  of  the  Governor's  council,  and  of 
course  a  rich  man,  as  I  was  informed,  after  having  com- 
mand  of  a  vessel  that  was  concerned  in  the  taking  and  sell- 
ing of  black  men,  women  and  children,  at  last  ran  her  in 
to  some  port,  and  sold  the  vessel,  which  he  was  not  owner 
of,  and  by  that  means  was  entitled  to  some  30,000  acres  of 
land  in  Van  Dieman's  land.  Being  in  possession  of  so  much 
wealth)  ho  of  course  must  hold  a  high  ofHce.  1  understood 
he  made  a  remark  in  the  house  atone  time,  which  brought 
upon  him  a  rebuke  from  one  of  the  members,  it  appeared, 
that  they  were  in  want  of  a  largo  amount  of  money,  and 
were  consulting  as  to  the  best  manner  of  raising  it.  The 
old  man  was  satisfied  they  could  not  get  along  without  it, 
and  made  something  of  a  speech.  Said  he,  *•  money  we 
want,  and  money  we  must  have,  by  hook  or  by  crook." — 
The  members  thought  the  expressien  was  rather  unbecom- 


{^M''-\ 


I'H 


'M  ,:^  V  t 


H- 


<-i 


140 


NARKATIVE  OF  A 


i.  u 


ing,  and  might  have  a  tendency  to  reveal  the  secret  of  the 
means  they  are  often  in  the  habit  of  resorting  to,  to  raise 
money  to  carry  out  their  secret  designs,  and  warned  him 
10  be  more  careful  for  the  future  ;  he  being  an  old  spr. 
I'tiptain,  was  rather  harsh  in  his  expressions.  Still,  he  was 
a  good  man  for  the  craft;  being  wealthy,  tyrannical,  dec. 
made  hirn  the  rieht  man  for  government ;  he  was  very 
ntimate  with  Sir  John..  Hearing  of  the  Canadian  prison- 
'TTH  and  of  their  being  industj(ious  and  ingenious  men,  he 
managed  by  pretending  much  friendship  and  sympathy,  to 
enlist  a  number,  by  offering  what  he  considered  a  great 
chance.  We  being  strangers  and  in  a  needy  situation, 
were  glad  to  accept  any  ofVer.  He  said  that  he  would  fur- 
nish teams  and  a  certain  quantity  of  provisions  weekly, 
together  with  seed  grain — that  we  could  have  as  much  land 
as  we  wanted  to  work  on  shares.  Accordingly,  lifteen  of  u« 
went  to  work,  lived  in  a  large  hut,  and  took  turns  cooking 
and  washing. 

I  will  not  relate  all  the  particulars  as  they  occurred  du- 
ring a  year  and  a  half  at  that  place.  We  had  enough  to 
eat,  but  nothing  except  mutton  and  bread,  nearly  the  year  *| 
round,  and  the  mutton  generally  poor.  We  were  allowed 
some  tea  and  sugar.  He  was  careful  that  everything  was 
charged,  and  that  our  account  should  not  run  too  high,  for 
fear  the  crop  would  not  be  enough  to  pay  him.  We  also 
were  very  saving  and  worked  hard,  in  hopes  we  might 
make  something  to  enable  us  to  get  home,  if  wo  should  get 
a  pardon,  or  even  if  we  did  not,  wethougdt  we  could  form 
some  plan  of  escape,  (or  we  cnuld  not  think  of  remaining 
t'lere  any  longer  than  we  could  possibly  avoid.  If  we 
could  have  had  our  liberty  at  the  time  we  first  landed  in 
the  colony,  we  might  have  acaumulated  that  which 
would  have  enabled  us  to  pay  something  towards  a  pas- 
sage home,  but  at  the  time  we  received  what  was  called, 
indulgence,  or  ticket  of  leave,  it  was  a  magna  charta  on 
a  very  small  scale.  At  that  time  the  best  of  ticket  men 
could  not  get  over  a  shilling  a  day  and  board  themselves, 
or  in  c'her  words,  the  provisions  were  all  weighed  out  to 
them  for  .!)<  week,  and  it  was  so  managed  by  the  settlers 
or  gentlema..  'hat  their  rations  would  amount  to  as  much 


\ 


sret  of  the 
o,  to  raise 
arned  him 

I  old  8f>B. 
ill,  he  was 
nicaif  6tc. 

was  very 
an  prison- 
8  men,  he 
mpathy,  to 
■ed  a  grent 
y  situation, 

would  fur- 
ns  weekly, 
I  much  land 
fifteen  of  us 
rns  cooking 

ccurred  du- 
I  enough  to 
riy  the  year  * 
fere  allowed 
rything  was 
)0  high,  for 
Wo  also 
|S  we  might 
should  get 
could  form 
If  remaining 
id.     If   we 
t  landed  in 
hat    which 
rds   a  pas- 
was  called, 
charta  on 
ticket   men 
themselves, 
|ighed  out  to 
the  settlers 
o  as  much 


PATRIOT   Kx'lLK. 


141 


as  their  weekly  wages.  This  was  understood  amongst 
these  gentlemen  throughout  the  colony,  so  that  a  prisoner 
can  get  no  more.  The  tickct-of- leave  man  is  not  aware 
of  this  scheme  until  he  has  tried  for  labor,  and  finds  the 
chance  of  laying  up  a  farthing  so  slim  and  the  rations  aU 
lowed  so  trifling  that  he  goes  to  the  next  one,  but  throe 
finds  it  the  same.  After  trying  some  five  or  six,  he  bo- 
comes  satisfied  that  the  gentleman  farmer  is  allowed  all 
(lie  help  he  wants  free  of  cost,  and  that  they  arc  in  league 
with  government  to  grind  the  unfortunate  prisoner  to  the 
dnst. 

It  wns  managed  on  the  same   principle   with  us   on  this 
farm  or  estate  of  W.  Kommodes.     After  we  had   broke  up 
:iiid  tilled  some  two  hundred  acres  of  rough  ond  rugged  land 
having  to  clear  a  good  share  of  it  before  it  was  suitable   for 
the  plow,  and   submitting   to  a  great  many  inconveniences 
which  cannot  well   be  described, — with  many  insults  and 
abuse  from  the  old  man,  though  we  took  the  land  to  work  on 
shares,  ho  must  be  master,  which  caused  our  situation  to  be 
very  little  if  any  better  than   when   on  the  roads;  for  you 
must  know  that  the  prisoner  or  poor  man  or  woman,  whether 
ihey  may  be  called  bond  or  free,  whatever  their  situation  may 
bo,  if  they  are  poor,  they  are  slaves   in  every  sense  of  the 
word  to  the  rich,  and  are  subject  to  punishment  continually. 
But  as  I  suid,  we  succeeded  in  breaking  up  and   tilling  some 
two  hundred  acres,   with  great    difficulty    harvesting  and 
threshing  some  four  thousand  bushels  of  oats  and  wheat,  but 
the    price    had     become    so    low,    and    advantage   taken 
of  us,   which  it  was  out  of  our  power    to   prevent  as  we 
were   situated.       After    getting  through  and  settling   up, 
there  was  mere  nothing  remaining  for  our  year  and  a  half 
of  hard  disagreeable  and  laborious  servitude  on  that   gentle- 
man's  estate,    but  he  being  benefitted  greatly  by  having  his 
rough  land  left  in  a  situation   to  be  easily  tilled  thereafter. 
After  making  a  thorough  trial  to  accumulate  something  for 
ourselves;  after  being  fully  convinced  that  it  could  not  be 
done,  that  the  power  was  completely  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
laboring  ipan,  and  there  seeming  to  be  no  prospect  of  our 
getting  our  liberty  or  help  from  any  source — although  as  I 
before  remarked,  there  being  often  scraps  in  newspapers  fa- 
12 


V 

ill- J 
■:4m- 


I 


i   • 


142 


HAtLtLATiym  OF  A 


I.     t, 


i'i  •  . 


>    « 


vorahle,  and  often  being  told  by  gentlemen  that  we  would 
soon  get  our  liberty,  yet  we  were  convinced  it  was  all  a  hoax, 
and  that  the  prospect  bid  fair  for  us  to  end  our  days  in  that 
horrible  place.  Wo  talked,  we  reasoned  together,  and  en- 
deavored to  form  some  plan  of  escape.  Feeling  much  cast- 
down  and  discouraged,  having  nothing  of  any  consequence 
for  our  year  and  a  half's  labor  and  no  possible  chance  of  over 
getting  anything — under  such  circumstances  you  must  know 
that  our  anxiety  to  leave  the  colony  and  to  return  to 
our  native  land  and  friends  after  so  long  an  absence  was  if 
possible  daily  increasing.  Mr.  Chondler  and  Wait  having 
landed  there  a  short  time  before  us,  were  more  fortunate 
than  our  ship's  company — they  being  bound  to  a  settler  who, 
fortunately  for  them,  provirg  friendly,  exonerated  them 
from  the  least  hardship  or  suffering  such  as  we  were  doomcid 
to  undergo  during  our  stay  as  slaves  on  the  roads.  A  little 
before  we  got  our  tickets,  they  being  in  that  situation,  obtain- 
ed help  and  was  assisted  in  making  their  escape.  VVe  were 
very  glad  to  hear  of  their  fortune,  notwith-.tanding  the  se- 
verity with  us,  wa.*^  on  that  account  if  possible  increased.  Still 
we  rejoiced  in  their  escape  hoping  they  might  be  fortunate  iu 
arriving  in  Americn,  as  well  to  cheer  the  hearts  of  friends,  as 
to  make  known  the  horrible  situation  of  their  comrades  in 
distress;  and  am  happy  to  l«arn  that  Mr.  Wait  mentions  us 
in  his  narrative,  but  not  in  the  glowing  color  that  the  nature 
of  the  case  demanded. 

I  had  written  to  my  friends  a  number  of  ti'Aies,  as  had  the 
most  of  our  party,  but  could  get  no  answer,  except  about 
this  time  I  recoivod  a  letter  from  my  father — there  had  beeii 
others  sent,  but  this  was  the  first  and  only  one  I  had  received 
—as  the  letters  going  or  coming  into  the  colony  are  all  open- 
ed and  read  by  the  authorities,  and  in  that  case  are  genernlly 
thrown  one  side  and  the  prisoner  deprived  of  hearing 
from  his  friends,  but  this  one  was  written  in  such  a  way,  they 
thought  it  would  have  a  tendency  to  keep  me  more  quiet, 
therefore  sent  it  to  me — my  father  being  tolerably  well  ac- 
quainted with  their  manner  of  dealing  with  the  poor,  which 
they  always  treat  with  severity — having  himself  experienced 
much  wrong  at  their  hands  during  the  last  war  with  England. 
Although  he  was  in  his  seventy  seventh  year,  I  had  to  laugh 

*    '  f  r 

t^  L 


PAtkldv  KXlLt. 


14d 


at  his  ingenuity  in  wording  it  in  order  that  it  might  come  to 
my  hands. 

Ho  warned  me  not  to  attempt  to  run  oway  or  got  away  by 
any  unfair  moans,  but  wait  until  I  was  hononibly  acquitted 
and  th(;n  says  he,  return  immediately  home,  that  I  may  seo 
you  once  more  before  I  die,  says  he,  "I  think  the  British 
governmont  will  soon  liberate  you  all;  as  they  must  be  con- 
vinced ore  this,  that  you  have  been  sufficiently  punished. 
Since  they  have  granted  a  general  amnesty  to  all  the  leading 
ones  in  the  rebellion  as  well  as  others  engaged.  Certainly 
this  act  of  clemency  will  be  extended  to  you  soon,  if  your 
conduct  will  warrnnt  it." —  To  wind  offho  says,  ''hchave 
yourselves  lik«'  men,  and  I  am  almost  sure  a  pardon  will  soon 
be  granted  you."  Now  the  party  in  power  thought  this 
would  not  only  be  good  advice  for  me,  but  for  all  the  rest,  of 
my  comra:^es  — so  it  was  sent  to  me.  The  above  was  not  all 
the  letter  contained,  but  if  that  or  something  similar  had  not 
been  m,  I  should  not  have  received  it — hut  I  was  two  well 
acquainted  with  his  wrongs  and  sufferings  at  their  hands  to 
believe  tliat  he  thought  mercy  need  be  expected  ol  ty- 
rants unless  it  would  be  greatly  to  their  advantage  in  grant- 
ing it.  He  knew  iheir  disposition  and  their  love  of  tyranny; 
experience  and  history  had  taught  him  that  if  ever  an  Ameri- 
can should  fall  into  their  power,  thoy  t  r^orl  scarcely  ever 
expect  or  look  for  mercy;  myself  at  all  events,  can  testify 
to  their  hanging  on  to  a  prisoner  to  the  very  last  extremity; 
their  grasp  is  like  the  death  grasp,  it  has  no  feeling,  no  dis- 
posititm  nor  wilingnessto  let  go  their  hold,  when  the  dart  is 
made  with  their  poisonous  harpoon,  their  poisonous  lances 
continue  to  pierce  the  victim  until  (tousethesiilor's  phrase,) 
'he spouts  blood, 'or  until  the  last  drop  is  taken  and  the  victim 
sinks  under  his  repeated  wounds  to  the  dust;  excuse  the  remark 
my  treatment  from  them  warrant  me  in  making  such  or  sim- 
ilar assertions.    -      -^ 


:J.t 


lA 


U* 


!•■ 


(         ! 


'Vj    . 


i1 
it 


Wi. 


!l 


'}  I    ^       LI 


1, 


A\ 


■:M\'. 


I    ■•■ 


% 


!«ii^ 


'? 


144 


NAflRATIVK  9F  A 


\ 


1 


I 


t 


■ 


;  ir 


'     I 


:• 


!l" 


!t 


^i 


.i 


ii  1 


..  .  ..  i.:. 


vNv.  .  3  •!(»  V*:': 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


VllI'  'U'iUUi  o 


V'.i-.tl 

,;  'til.  "»  ■'>  lU 


Desperate  Attempt  to  Escape — Suffeerings  continued — ^c. 

Just  before  I  received  this  letter,  I  had  engnged  with  somo 

others  of  my  comrades,  to  make  one  desperate  attempt  to  es- 

ca[)e  from  the  island,  for  as  yot  there  appeared  no  hope,   we 

having  been   so  often  deceived   and  disappointed,   and  tho 

prospect  still  very  gloomy  of  our  ever  getting  our  freedom, 

and  no  prospect  but  of  lingering  out  a  miserable  life  between 

hope  and  dispair  in  that  miserable  little   prison    island — bui 

his    advice    was    about  to    be  disregarded;  we   had  heard 

that  two  or  three  of  our  party  on  receiving  their  tickets,  had 

made  choice  of  what   is  called   Swanporl  district,  and   we 

learnt  whilst  at   this  farm  that  it  extended  to  the  sea-sliore, 

distant  from  us  eighty  miles.     After  some  difficulty,  it  wm 

arranged  that  one  should  go  there  nm\  see  what  the  prospect 

was  of  some  or  all  getting  awuy   from  that  quarter. .  Some 

were  willing  and   anxious  that  the  trial  should  be  made  in 

that  way,  and  others  tiiought  it  almost  impossible  to  succeed. 

James  D.  Fero  accordingly  succeeded  in    getting  his  ticket 

changed  for  that  District,  ho  was  gone  somo  two  weeks  and 

returned  willi    a  favorable  account,  and   wont    immedately 

back  to  avoid  suspicion.  ..  f^j,v J.)  "i%  " 

There  had  been  three  of  our  party  who  had  taken  some 
land  to  clear,  and  were  to  have  two  crops  to  pay  fur  clear- 
ing. The  gentleman  was  to  find  team,  seed,  and  provisions. 
They  had  got  some  four  acres  cleared  and  a  fine  crop  of  po- 
tatoes and  turnips,  which  were  just  ready  to  harvest  at  the 
time  we  were  about  to  make  the  attempt  to  leave  the  Colony. 
We  were  a  long  while  making  the  arrangement,  owing  to  our 
limited  means. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  attempt  to  describe  our  situation, 
and  the  many  difficulties  attending  the  underlakinjr. 

Scalterrd  about  the  Island,  one,  two,  and  throo  .n  a  place, 
having  no  money,  not  allowed  to  leave  our  districts;  being 
olosely  watched,  and  of  course  some  one  or  two,  would  have 


.-.-  -.■v.-jt.-..^.-.:.i-3SSs=-.-;.-.::trr;; 


PATRIOT  BXILlE. 


145 


( 

'I     J 


to  take  the  burthen  or  responsibility  of  making  the  arrange- 
ment, nnd  attending  to  getting  them  together  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  there  must  be  no  mistake  in  the  time,  because  somo 
who  would  not  be  able  to  get  their  tickets  changed,  would  be 
obliged  to  take  Paddy's  leave ;  and  would  be  liable  to  be  taken 
up  on  the  way.  Some  would  have  fifty,  some  sixty,  somo 
eighty,  and  some  an  hundred  miles  to  travel  through  the 
woods,  over  inoinituins  and  through  swamps  and  perhaps  miss 
of  finding  ther  designated  place,  and  aller  wandering  about 
perhaps  three  or  iuur  days,  tired  and  huns^ry,  obliged  to  sur- 
render nnd  perhaps  glad  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  ony  ono. 
But  it  is  of  no  use  to  undertake  to  describe  the  many  hinder- 
ancos  we  would  have  to  encounter,  in  the  situation  wc  were 
placed;  the  number  of  policemen,  mounted  and  on  foot,  cousta- 
bles,  soldiers,  magistrates,  and  others,  all  on  the  look-out  for 
hundreds  ihai  have  been  obliged  to  take  the  bush,  and  in  fact 
it  is  so  arranged  that  there  is  scarcely  a  moment  day  or 
night,  that  ihe  prisoner  can  moke  the  least  move  without  be- 
ing discovered,  and  detected  by  some  one. 

I  am  satisfied,  it  is  useless  for  a  prisoner  or  a  number  of 
prisoners  to  attempt  an  escape  from  that  prison  Island,  situa- 
ted as  it  is,  and  as  the  prisoner  is,  unless  he  is  fortunate 
enough  to  have  friends  and,  means — and,  in  that  case, 
scarcely  ever  one  gets  away  until  he  becomes  free,  and  then 
it  is  difficult  to  raise  means  to  leave.  What  makes  me  so 
particular  in  trying  to  describe  our  situation  is,  that  some, 
since  my  return  on  bearing  of  our  confinement,  and  treat- 
ment, havo  remarked,  oh!  if  I  had  been  one  ol  you  prisoners, 
I  would  have  got  away!  They  would  not  have  kept  me  as 
long!  I  would  have  killed  some  of  them!  But  my  friend, 
whoever  you  are,  that  would  be  so  very  smart,  remember 
you  are  not  a  prirsoner,  neither  are  you  deprived  of  the  prvi- 
leges  of  Cree  men,  as  we  weie,  and  let  me  say  to  you  without 
boasting,  because  we  have  been  placed  in  a  situation  to  try 
men's  souls,  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  whoever  you 
are  that  would  be  so  smart,  that  you  aie  no  smarter,  when 
you  are  tried'  thsn  the  little  band  of  patriots  were  before  the 
life  blood  wis  nearly  extiguishod  by  the  overwhelming  band 
of  tyrants,  that  had  compelled  us  to  yield  bodily,  butnvM  in  spir- 
it; I  have  he^d  a  great  4eAl  of  what  men  woul^  have  dorxe  if 
12* 


I, 


I- 1 


>(*!.|.i 


•J 


1  i 


'1:1 


i-f ; 


..  !■ 


m 


!!i 


f 


M 


!  .1 


rf  ■■■' 
►'■■'< 


i  If 


V      , 


j 


'    >  i 


i 


Us 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


they  had  been  in  our  situation,  but  if  we  had  not  been  so 
deceived  in  these  very  smart  men,  men  that  could  and  would 
do  80  much,  but  come  to  case  in  hand,  could  not  or  would  not 
do  anything;  and  in  that  case  those  that  intended  and  did  do 
as  they  promised,  until  it  was  out  of  their  power  to  do  anv 
more,  must  now  be  censured  because  they  could  not  do  any 
more,  even  after  power  had  been  wrested  from  them.  But  1 
believe  I  may  safely  say,  that  all  that  escaped  the  tyrant's 
grasp  will  not  be  backward  in  exerting  what  little  strength  is 
remaining  to  oppose  tyrants  in  Americn,  Canada,  or  any 
other  parts  of  the  world.         --'^ 

After  much  trouble,  one  or  two  succeeded  in  getting  to 
Hobart  town,  and  managed  to  see  the  captain  of  an  American 
whaler,  and  agreed  with  him  to  come  to  a  certain  point  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Island.  The  day  being  fixed  upon 
the  man  returns  to  inform  his  friends.  Sufficient  time  being 
allowed  for  the  men  to  get  to  the  designated  spot,  with  much 
trouble  twenty-two  succeeded  in  reaching  the  place. 

Recollect,  we  could  not  call  at  a  public  house  for  a  night's 
lodging;  or  to  a  private  house;  as  we  might  in  the  United 
States.  But  when  we  came  in  sight  of  either,  we  were 
obliged  to  avoid  them,  for  fear  of  constables,  that  are  nume- 
rous at  all  these  places.  What  sleep  we  got,  during  some 
week  or  ion  days,  was  upon  the  ground,  however  cold  and 
damp,  not  venturing  to  kindle  a  fire,  for  fear  of  being  detect- 
ed. You  may  ask  how  we  got  along  for  provisions.  You 
must  know  that  for  the  last  six  years  the  scarcity  of  provi- 
sions, and  poorness  of  quality,  had  enabled  us  now,  especially 
in  an  attempt  like  this  to  bear  up  with  very  small  allowances. 
Some  having  managed  to  have  some  on  the  start,  and  others 
leaving  without  a  chance  of  obtaining  much  if  any;  but  on 
arriving  at  the  hut  which  was  distant  from  the  sea-shore  six 
miles,  there  was  plenty  of  potatoes,  and  turnips. 

The  men  living  in  the  bush  a  long  time,  had  learnt  the 
art  of  taking  the  Kangaroo,  which  was  numerous  in  that 
quarter — ^they  had  snared  some  two  hundred  whilst  there; 
they  were  saving  the  skins  for  the  tannery  in  Hobart  Town, 
distant  some  hundred  miles;  they  had  heai*d  they  were 
fetching  two  an  d  sixpence  a  piece,  they  were  used  for 
boots  and   fine  shoes,   which  when   tanned  resembled  the 


^-dUii 


tiMMiiiiMiii 


■HH 


Wgv.'j:aa8ff"cr* 


h 


been  so 
md  would 
would  not 
md  did  do 
to  do  any 
lot  do  any 
m.  Bull 
e  tyrant's 
strength  is 
a,  or   anv 

getting  to 
American 
1  point  on 
fixed  upon 
Lime  being 
with  much 
;e. 

p  a  night's 
the  United 
,  we  were 
are  nume- 
ring  some 
T  cold  and 
ling  detect- 
ions.    You 
of  provi- 
especially 
llowances . 
land  others 
[ny;but  on 
shore  six 

I  learnt  the 
lis  in  thai 
1st  there; 
lart  Town, 
Ihey  were 
used  for 
Imbled  the 


PAtRlOT  EXILE. 


Ul 


calf-skin,  and  equally  as  good.  The  flesh  is  rather  coarse 
and  strong  flavored,  yet  it  is  used  by  many  and  very  much 
esteemed. 

Their  hut  was  eight  miles  from  the  gentleman's  estate 
— but  he  owned  a  large  quantity  of  land  and  it  being  con- 
sidered good,  had  bargained  with  three  of  our  men  to  make 
an  opening  at  this  place,  and  it  being  so  far  to  carry  pro- 
visions, were  allowed  a  month's  provisions  at  a  time  and 
taken  to  the  hut  in  a  cart,  but  unluckily  for  us;  it  was  the 
latter  part  of  the  month  and  their  allowance  was  nearly  gone, 
and  by  the  addition  of  our  number,  what  little  was  remain- 
ing was  s  >on  consumed,  but  as  there  was  plenty  of  potatoes, 
turnips  and  Kangaroo,  we  got  along  very  well. 

The  Capt.  was  detained  and  could  not  leave  port  as  soon 
as  he  expected.  As  a  signal,  it  was  agreed  there  should  be 
a  fire  constantly  burning  on  a  certain  hill  near  the  place 
designated;  so  that  h?  might  know  whereto  put  in.  There- 
fore we  took  turns  in  keeping"the  light.  The  time  set  had 
now  overrun — three  days — you  may  judge  that  our  feelings 
and  situation  about  this  time,  cannot  easily  be  explained. 
Some  were  getting  quite  discouraged  and  worn  out — wo 
were  obliged  to  keep  sentrys  out  day  and  night,  to  warn  us 
of  the  approach  of  any  one.  Two  or  three  times  we  were 
obliged  to  conceal  ourselves  away  from  the  hut,  at  the  ap- 
proach of  constables,  and  once  or  twice  the  master  or  own- 
er of  the  land  was  there  hunting  cattle;  and  in  hunting  them 
came  very  near  finding  us,  it  was  lucky  he  did  not  go  to  the 
potato  patch,  for  the  Capt.  being  told  we  could  furnish  near 
a  hundred  bushels  of  good  potatoes,  said  they  would  be  very 
acceptable;  so  we  had  dug  them,  and  carried  them  all  to  the 
beach  and  concealed  them  in  the  sand:  so  you  may  judge 
we  were  not  idle,  as  we  had  to  carry  them  six  miles  and 
could  not  carry  on  an  average,  over  a  bushel  at  a  time. 
We  carried  them  in  bags  or  sacks  formed  of  the  Kangaroo 
j^kins;  we  had  to  rest  often  on  the  way — but  we  labored  day 
and  night,  all  that  was  not  on  duty  as  watchmen,  were  con- 
stantly employed  in  making  sacks  digging  potatoes,  and 
carrying  them  to  the  beach.  The  ground  was  very  rough 
it  being  all  the  way  through  the  bush,  with  underbru8h,  and 
in  places  long  wijd  grass,  and  at  night  f.o  dark,  U   was  a 


I":. 


,.,4  ' 


I     ' 


.uiImj 


I  t 


If 


'■  i  . 

S'.l 


m, 

n't  ;■ 

■If 


m 


nil 


H 


fc  t' 


ii 


!  If 


> 


*If 


W 


NA&RATIVE  OF  A 


difficult  task  to  perform,  but  by  perseverance,  we  succeeded 
io  getting  them  all  to  the  beach  and  concealed  by  covering 
them  with  sand.  The  captain  said  if  it  was  possible  for  us 
to  get  some  wood,  he  would  be  glad  if  we  would  have  some 
on  the  beftcli,  for  said  he,  "we  need  not  be  afraid  of  whst 
soldiers  and  constables  they  can  muster  at  that  point,  for  if  I 
succeed  in  lauding  with  ray  ship's  crow,  I  shall  have  some 
guns,  and  there  being  plenty  of  clubs,  between  us  all,  I  think 
we  can  flog  all  they  can  send  there,  whilst  we  are  securing 
our  potatoes  and  wood.  We  had  managed  to  procure  four 
^uns  and  had  them  concealed,  as  should  the  vessel  come  in 
we  was  determined  to  fight  our  way  on  board  if  necessary. 
After  we  had  secured  our  potatoes,  we  went  to  work,  choped 
and  carried  the  distance  of  nearly  half  a  mile,  about 
eight  cords  of  wood. 

Five  days  had  now  passed  since  the  vessel  was  expected, 
still  we  had  some  faint  hopes  nnd  was  constantly  on  the 
lookout,  though  it  was  dangerous  keeping  up  the  fire  on 
the  hili,  yet  it  was  kept  up  continually,  but  with  great  diffi- 
culty, as  it  was  a  very  high  bluff,  and  the  fuel  hard  to  be  ob- 
tained. There  had  been  two  or  three  sails  discovered  at  a 
great  distance,  but  we  knew  by  the  way  they  stood  that 
neither  of  them  was  the  one  we  were  looking  for.  We  were 
almost  on  the  point  of  giving  up,  and  1  believe  one  or  two 
had  left  as  a  sail  was  discovered  rounding  the  point  at  a 
great  distance,  but  after  a  while  was  discovered  standing  in 
towards  us,  but  the  wind  blowing  fresh  and  off  the  land, 
they  were  obliged  to  beat  and  tack  often,  but  by  the  move- 
ments we  were  convinced  they  were  endeavoring  to  make 
land  not  far  from  us.  This  was  about  twelve  o'clock  the 
sixth  day;  they  continued  beating  and  tacking,  making  little 
progress  towards  land—  the  afternoon  passed  away  and  left 
us  in  the  dark  as  to  their  intentions.  We  thought  however 
we  could  discover  the  stars  and  stripes  which  he  was  to  have 
in  a  certain  position,  that  we  might  know  the  ship  as  far  as 
we  could  discern  the  colors — be  assured  it  was  now  all 
anxiety;  the  fire  was  increased  that  night,  but  as  it  happened 
there  was  a  small  clearing  and  burning  of  timber  near  the 
beach  and  about  ten  miles  from  us;  he  had  put  in  there  or 
near  enough  to  go  a  shore  with  a  small  boat»  but  on  discover- 


>»»  *-"!*»••*«-  '.' 


PATRIOT   EXILE* 


149 


ing  his  mistake,  went  immediately  on  board  to  put  to  sea, 
but  discovered  our  light.  The  wind  continuing  to  blow 
fresh,  at  daylight  we  disrovf^roH  him  near  the  place  where 
we  had  lost  sight  of  hiLn,  i .  iiigjit  hid  him  from  view,  we 
had  no  idea  that  he  had  made  land  that  night. 

The  wind  althougli  increasing,  had  changed  a  little,  which 
enabled  him  to  run  in  and  lay  too,  about  a  half  a  mile  i'n'in 
shore.     It  was  so  very  rough  and  it  being  a  bold   and  iron- 
bound  shore,  it   was  dangerous  at  that  time   to   come  any 
nearer;  he  ventured  however,    to   man   a   small   boat  and 
with  great  difficulty  succeeded  in  reaching  the  shore.       We 
was   glad  to  see   a   free   man,  and  one  that  appeared  to  be 
doing  all  in  his  power  to  make  us  so.     The    sailors  seemed 
to  rejoice  at  our  prospect   of  escape.     They    had    fire-arms 
with  them  and  seemed  to  be  willing  to  risk  their  lives  in   as- 
sisting [is;  wo  told  them  we  had  managed  to  have  a  quantity 
of  potatoes,  and  about  eight  cords  of  wood  ready   to  be   put 
on  board,  together  with  twenty  of  us  that  would  be  there   in 
a  few  minutes;  as  the  vessel  was  discovered   approaching,  a 
man  was  despatched  in  great  haste  for  the  men  that    were 
obliged  to  be  at  the  hut;  for  we  knew,  and  so  did  the  captain 
that  it  would  tJike  some  two  hours  to  get  all  things  on  board. 
It   was   blo/^ng  a  gale,  the  captain  was  fearful  that  the 
vessel  would  :  '      *    n  on  shore;  said   it  was   useless  to   at- 
tempt to  get  an;  •   i/.g  on  board  until  the  wind  *  abated.       He 
talked  awhile,  told  the  reason  of  his  not  being   there  before, 
which  was  owing  to  vsome  difficulty   in  getting  water,    and 
some  other  things  that  had  detained   him,  so   it  made  it  im- 
possible to  be  there  as  soon  as  he  expected,  he  said   that   he 
had  often  thought  of  our  situation  and  was  fearful  in  waiting 
we  would  all  be  liable  to  be  taken    prisoners   and   severely 
punished;  told  of  his  landing  and  being  deceivftd  by  the  fire 
where  they  were  clearing,  eight  or  ten  miles  t'rom  there,  but 
the  vessel  seemed  to  be  laboring  and  the  wind  not  abating,  he 
was  fearful  she  would  5c  driven  on  shore — lie  could  not  stop 
to  say   much,   but   said    he    would  have  to  put  to   sea,    and 
thought  that  the  wind  would  fall  towards  night  and  he  would 
then  put  in  and  take  us  onboard;  for  it  was  impossible  to 
get  the  things  or  even  ourselves  on  board  at  that  lime.       He 
was  loth  to  leave  us;  but  was  compelled  to  on  account  of  the 


^^   l! 


r! 


'.  W 


(i 


i! 


I 


f  i 


u 


!m: 


fr:i 


\r 


s-f 


,: 


1' 


i   ' 


i 


■I 


1 


M 


150 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


safety  of  the  vessel.  We  had  seen  rough  weather  on  the 
ocean  and  was  not  easily  frightened — but  I  can  assure  you 
the  swells  and  breakers  at  that  time  and  on  that  iron-bound 
shore  were  tremendous,  in  getting  to  the  vessel,  we  thought 
two  or  three  times  the  little  boat  and  all  hands  had  perished, 
but  with  skilful  management  they  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
ship;  we  were  rejoiced  as  we  beheld  them  climbing  up  the 
ship's  side.  Just  at  that  time  there  was  a  sail  discovered 
approaching;  the  captain  with  his  spy  glass  could  easily  dis- 
cover that  it  was  a  man-of-war.  It  was  kept  to  protect  their 
whalers  and  other  crafts,  that  were  cruising  about  that  Is- 
land, as  well  as  to  keep  American  whalers  from  landing  at 
difFereni  points  and  taking  off  prisoners.  There  had  been 
at  different  times  a  number  taken  away  by  American  whalers 
— it  appears  this  armed  schooner  was  despatched  to  watch 
this  whaler;  it  seems  he  was  mistrusted  on  account  of  taking 
in  extra  water  and  provisions;  or  we  had  been  missed  and 
being  reported  as  missing  or  absent  without  leave — one  or 
the  other,  perhaps  both. 

Now  what  should  you  think  our  feelings  must  have  been, 
after  making  as  it  were,  this  last  and  desperate  attempt — af- 
ter doing  all  in  our  power,  undergoing  many  and  severe 
difficulties  which  you  can  have  but  faint  if  any  conception 
of.  When  the  captain  lelt,  said  he,  "maintain  your  ground, 
if  the  wind  will  not  admit  of  my  coming  in  this  evening  or 
to-morrow,  be  not  discouraged,  I  sTiall  come  back  as  soon  as 
possible.'*  But  I  presume  he  had  nt't  the  least  idea  of  there 
being  an  armed  vessel  to  contend  with,  so  near  at  hand, 
when  he  left  us  for  his  vessel.  But  here  we  are — our 
captain  at  sea  in  order  to  prevent  his  ship  from  being  ;stovo 
on  the  tremendous  rocks  that  had  fallen  from  the  mountain, 
their  rugged  heads  extending  from  five  to  fifty  feet  in  a 
calm,  but  now  the  surges  beating  high  hiding  them  from 
view  for  a  moment — the  water  dashing  and  roaring  like  dis- 
tant thunder — the  ocean  as  far  as  the  eye  could  extend,  pre- 
senting a  white  surface  of  froth  or  foam.  It  was  a  specta- 
cle awful  to  behold,  I  had  never  in  all  my  travel  on  the 
ocean,    witnessed  anything  like  it. 

The  armed  vessel  lay  to,  under  close  reef  in  -the  roads,  to 
prevent  our  captain  from   returning;    for  they  must  have 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


151 


5 — one  or 


known  as  they  beheld  him  moving  off,  thai  it  was  in^ossible 
for  us  to  get  on  board,  in  such  a  gale,  and  no  doiyibt  was 
satisfied  of  his  intention  of  putting  to  sea,  and  of  his  proba- 
ble return  when  the  wind  abated.  But  in  our  situation;  we 
was  glad  the  captain  went  on  board  just  as  he  did,  for  he  was 
just  in  time  to  make  his  escape.  You  must  not  blame  us, 
but  the  prospect  was  if  the  wind  continued,  as  it  was  then 
apparently  increasing,  that  the  man-of-war  with  all  her 
efforts  was  likely  to  be  driven  on  shore  and  at  that  place, 
must  have  been  dashed  in  pieces;  I  say  you  must  not  blame 
us,  for  at  that  critical  time,  we  was  in  hopes  it  would  be  the 
caae.  We  were  looking  with  eager  eyes  expecting  every 
moment  to  see  her  driven  with  fury  against  tlie  rocks — but 
she  weathered  the  storm. — I  might  dwell  at  .considerable 
length  upon  this  subject,  but  I  must  be  brief. 

We  held  our  ground  at  great  disadvantage,  four  days  from 
the  time  of  the  appearance  of  the  armed  vessel,  in  hopes  she 
would  leave  and  give  our  own  vessel  a  chance  to  return. — 
Four  or  five  times,  Constables  appeared  in  search  of  us,  but 
our  watch  discovered  them  in  time  to  evade  their  search. 
Now  reccollect,  iwo  weeks  had  passed  of  continual  labor,  no 
h  use  or  bed  to  rest  in,  and  nothing,  the  most  of  the  time,but 
roasted  potatoes;  for  we  had  no  time  to  hunt  and  kill  kanga- 
roos; and  many  times  so  situated  that  we  could  not  roast 
potatoes  even  for  a  day  at  a  time.  Do  you  think  you  can 
form  any  idea  of  our  condition?  Perhaps  you  may;  but  it  is 
out  of  niy  power  to  describe  it.  The  consequence  was,  after 
doing  all  that  could  be  done,  on  the  fifth  day,  after  the  ap- 
proach of  the  armed  vessel,  we  were  commanded  to  appear 
forthwith,  at  a  police  office,  before  a  magistrate,  fifteen  miles 
from  that  place  and  answer  to  the  charge  of  leaving  our 
districts  without  orders,  and  attempting  to  escape  from  the 
Island,  &c. 

I  will  not  pive  a  full  description  of  our  trials:  We 
confessed  nothing.  The  charges  had  to  be  proved. — 
But  the  leaving  of  our  districts,  without  orders,  was  evident 
in  the  case  ot  those  who  could  notproduL.e  a  pass  to  thateffecl. 
Some  had  passrs  and  some  had  none.  On  being  asked  our 
business  on  the  coast,  and  so  many  at  that  place,  we  told 
tliem,  we  had  come  to  see  our  three  companions  that  we  had 


i  yV 


i^'l'l 


ki 


152 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


heard  were  at  work  on  some  land  six  miles  from  the  sea  shore 
that  we  had  not  seen  for  a  long  time;  and  the  reason  of  our 
stopping  so  long  was  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  kangaroos; 
and  being  on  the  beach  was  to  see  if  there  was  any  chance 
for  catching  fish.     But  all  would  not  satisfy. — Circumstance; 
were  against  us,     Sentence  was  passed,  which  was:  that  \\t 
should  be  separated   four  in  a  district,  with  strict  ordors  fo] 
magistrates,  constables,  policemen,  and    all  in   authority,  to 
keep  a  strict  watch  over  us,  and  not  allow  us  on  any  consider- 
ation to  leave  the  district  allotted  us,  and  we  should  bo  mus- 
tered in  our  respective,  districts  at  the  police  office  therein, 
every  Saturday  night;  and  if  we  failed  in  so  doing  should  he 
immediately  reported  as   absconders,  or  bush  ranger  •,   and 
punished  accordingly.     We  were  called   into   an  adjoining 
room,  four  at  a  time  to  make  choice  of  our  districts.     Thosf- 
that  we  were  to  chose  from,  were  back  in  the  interior,  not 
contiguous  to  the  sea  shore.     I  was  one  of  five  last  called  and 
of  course,  was  obliged   to  take   the  worst  one,  and  farthest 
away.     There  was  but  few  settlers  there,  it  being  considered 
the  poorest  land,  and  the  coldest  district  on  the  Island.     Bin 
it  would  make  but  little  difference  to  us,  whether  the  settlers 
were  few  or  many;  for  they  payed  nothing  for  labor.     There 
^ft^  hundreds  who  had  served  their  time  out  on  the  roads. 
Iind  got    what  is   called   indulgence  or    a  ticket,  constantly 
on  tbe  tramp,  looking  for  work,  and  are  obliged  to  work  hard 
early  and  late  for  their  scanty  allowance.  '"^'  "" 

'^  James  D.  Fero,  David  House,  Orlea  Blodget,  Leonard 
Oelano,  and  myself,  received  our  passes  for  Both  well  district . 
distant  one  hundred  miles,  mostly  through  the  bush  swamps. 
and  over  mountains —  but  here  we  are  about  12  o'clock  in  the 
day  with  our  kangaroo  knapsacks,  with  blanket  and  rug  upon 
our  backs,  a  certain  time  allowed  to  be  there.  Reccollect  we 
are  not  at  this  time  in  government  service,  consequentK 
nothing  said  about  rations.  We  were  holding  tickets  of 
indulgence;  which  Sir  John  terms,  the  next  thing  to  freedom. 

Many  a  laugh  we  have  had  over  this  little  inestimable  treas- 
ure, bestowed  upon  us  after  two  years  and  six  months,  severe 
servitude,  by  His  Royal  Highness,  Sir  John  Franklin,  Her 
Gracious  Majesty's  representative  &c. 

Some  may  be  curious  enough  to  enquire  what  disposition 


IS,  severe 


f^^k^Tf  IpT.  IBXILE. 


153 


we  made  of  our  wood  and  ppt?itoes.  To  such,  1  would  say; 
The  last  I  kne\y  ortheno,  tlie  pqtatoes  were  buried  in  the  sand 
and  the  wood  left  upon  the  beaph.  They  were  excellent  pota  - 
toes;  and  as  there  is  a  prospect  pf  the  roots  failing  throughout 
the  world,  who  knows  but  that  pile  is  destined  to  be  preserved 
to  renew  that  valuable  rqot  at  some  future  period. 

I  said  we  had  our  knapsacks  on  our  backs — but  they  are 
now  otr,  and  we  are  about  eight  miles  from  the  office  where 
we  were  tried,  having  fotlnd  lodgings  in  an  old  forsaken  shep- 
herd's  hut.      „..,..,    . .  _,^:_  _  ...  ... 

I  wish  you  to  bear  in  mind  that  I  am  laboring  under  difficul- 
ties far  greater  than  my  comrades;  not  only  suffering  much 
from  pain  in  the  breast,  but  by  continual  fatigue  and  hardships 
I  had  likewise,  a  pain  in  my  side,  which  made  it  very  difficult 
for  me  to  bear  up  under  the  many  abuses,  insults,  and  hard- 
ships that  we  were  subject  to.  Though  my  more  fortunate 
comrades  in  that  respect,  were  very  kind  in  rendering  all  the 
assistance  in  their  power,  which  was  but  little,  as  we  were 
situated.  The  course  to  our  district  was  for  the  first  sixty 
miles,  through  the  woods,  no  road — and  at  tiVnes  only  a 
foot  path  discernable,  and  lor  miles  together  nothing  to  guide 
as,  but  blazed  trees;  and  those  so  dull  that  we  often  wandered 
out  of  our  way.  VVe  not  only  had  high  hills  and  gulfs  to 
cross,  but  often  for  miles,  water  up  to  our  knees;  which  caused 
us  to  have  wet  feet^  constantly  for  a  week  or  ten  days  together. 
Some  of  us  had  managed  by  strict  economy  and  much  labor, 
to  have  a  little  money,  but  the  question  was  not  asked  us  on 
our  starting,  and  not  a  word  as  to  how  we  were  to  get  that 
distance  or  our  ability  to  travel  it;  all  there  was  about  it — 
we  were  sentenced  to  be  in  such  a  place  at  such  a  time.  If 
we  failed  to  accomplish  it  within  the  time  set,  we  were  liable 
to  punishment.  Finally  let  me  say  to  you,  it  is  so  arranged 
that,  whatever  the  situation  of  the  prisoner  may  be,  it  is  all 
punishment,  though  it  may  vary  in  form.  Now  though  we 
had  a  little  money,  it  was  of  little  or  no  use,  for  on  our  jour- 
ney there  was  no  chance  of  purchasing  any  thing  to  eat;  the 
kangaroo  being  numerous,  we  managed  to  ensnare  one  and 
sometimes  two,  in  a  night;  then  kindle  a  fire,  (  though 
against  orders)  roast  the  flesh  on  the  coals,  put  some  in  our 
knapsacks  for  the  day,  and  proceed  on  our  journey.  Two  or 
13 


.-^  .  .  i 


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I 


J    '     ?      ^■ 


r- 


154 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


Ffs         -ilr 


fi 


three  limes  we  came  to  sheptierds'  huts,  but  they  Having  noth- 
ing but  their  weekly  allowances,  had  nothing  of  any  amount 
to  spare  us.  Once  we  obtained  a  little  coarse  flour  and  some 
salt.  We  managed  to  bake  our  flour  by  brushing  the  din 
iVorn  a  rock,  wet  the  flour  with  cold  water,  knead  it  into 
doiigh,make  it  into  a  thin  cake,  make  n  place  in  the  embers 
where  we  had  a  concealed  fire  through  the  night,  let  it  remain 
there  till  we  thought  it  was  done,^ien  lake  it  out  and  brush 
the  ashes  from  it  as  much  as  possiTbe.  It  would  not  be  very 
light,  and  rather  small  for  a  number  of  men  tired  and  hun- 
gry: yet,  as  small  as  it  was,  it  was  a  great  deal  better  than 
nothing,  and  1  can  assure  you:  in  such  times,  there  is  no 
bad  taste  to  it.  This  is  the  way  the  most  of  the  prisoners 
bake  tlieir  bread;  or  dampers  as  they  are  termed  when  baked. 
When  night  comes,  the  ground  is  our  resting  place;  but  wo 
managed  to  find  the  most  retired  place  in  order  to  have  a  fire. 
This  is  a  brief  account  of  our  faro  during  six  days  travel, 
before  we  arrived  at  the  edge  of  our  district.  We  then  trav- 
eled on  some  ten  miles  farther,  being  informed  by  a  consta- 
ble whom  we  had  met,  that  there  was  a  wealthy  gentleman 
that  might  possil)!y  employ  us  at  some  rate.  We  succeeded 
after  some  difficulty, -in  reaching  the  estate.  It  was  a  large 
house,  but  we  could  not  approach  it;  on  account  of,  I  should 
judge  about  fifteen  bull  dogs,  that  were  chained  up  around  in 
such  a  manner  that  a  person  could  not  get  by  them.  We  were 
led  to  consider  it  a  bad  omen  for  a  gentleman  to  have  his 
house  guarded  in  that  manner.  He  is  considered  a  tiger; 
having  a  great  number  of  slaves  to  work  on  his  estate,  who, 
abused  and  driven  to  that  degree,  that  they  are  often  obliged 
to  fake  to  the  bush,  and  for  fear  of  their  returning,  to  rob 
him,  he  has  a  great  number  of  dogs,  constables  and  sometimes 
soldiers  allowed  him  to  keep  order,  and  the  poor  prisoner,  or 
slave,  after  being  driven  to  the  bush,  from  returning  to  rob 
him.  The  greater  part  of  the  settlers  on  the  Island,  have 
iheir  unjust  gains,  guarded  in  this  manner.  A  prisoner  that 
is  ever  caugh',  robbing  one  of  these  worthies,  is  sure  to  have 
his  liock  stretched,  but  they  often  do  it  ior  the  purpose  of  end- 
ing his  days  of  suffering.  One  of  the  servants  coming  out 
on  the  alarm  being  given  by  the  army  of  bull  dogs,  which 
in  many  instances,  resembles  their  master.     As  we  were  with- 


i  t 


"\!< 


PATRIOT   IXILK. 


155 


in  fifteen  or  twenty  rods  of  the  house,  thosorvant,  or  sentry 
sings  out — "stand  !'*  "I  will  call  the  master  !"  Presently,  he 
steps  to  tiie  door.  Seeing  that  we  were  not  of  his  stamp,  but,^' 
by  our  dress  and  appearance,  prisoners;  sings  out,  in  a 
commanding  tone — "don't  come  any  nearer  to  the  house!" 
"who  are  you  ?"  "what  do  you  want  ?"  "what  business 
have  you  here  )"  &c.  Between  his  loud,  commanding  voice 
and  the  tremendous  roaring  of  the  bull  dogs,  it  was  some 
time  before  we  could  make  him  understand  what  we  wanted. 
At  last  we  made  him  understand  that  we  wanted  work,** 
l)Ut  as  soon  as  he  could  understand,  ho  quickly  replied,  *'  no! 
no  !  1  have  got  more  than  I  want  now  !*'  The  dogs 
appeared  a  little  reconciled.  We  advanced  a  few  paces. 
A.S  he  sings  out — "don't  come  any  nearer  I  keep  back  ! 
How  do  1  know,  but  you  are  bush  rangers,  come  to  rob 
me  ?"  "don't  come  any  nearer,  or  I  will  let  my  dogs  loose 
and  they  will  tear  you  in  pieces  in  a  moment!"  They 
seemed  to  understand  him,  for  on  hearing  him  talk  in  this 
manner,  they  set  up  a  tremendous  roar.  We  stood  our 
ground,  but  expecting  every  moment,  that  some  of  them 
would  get  loose.  They  were  springing  with  all  vengeance 
to  get  to  us.  But  again:  the  roaring  ceased  for  a  moment. 
We  then  asked  him  if  we  could  have  some  provisions,  by 
paying  for  them,  at  the  same  time,  telling  him,  who  we  were; 
that  we  were  ticket-of-leave  men,  and  very  tired  and  hungry. 
But  the  gentleman  could  say  nothing,  but,  "go  away!  go 
away !  I  believe  you  are  bush  rangers!  bo  off  or  I  will  call 
my  constables,  and  have  you  all  arrested!  "  He  appeared 
to  be  frightened,  and  in  a  great  rage:  saying — "be  off!  be  off!" 
We  started  off  not  being  able  to  make  him  understand  when 
we  said  we  were  hungry.  About  half  a  mile  from  there, 
we  came  to  a  number  of  huts,  where  were  sonae  twenty  or  thir-,  ^ 
ty  persons  at  work  on  this  gentleman's  land.  We  went  into' 
some  of  the  huts,  where  was  a  man  preparing  something  in 
the  shape  of  dinner,  for  the  persons  who  were  at  work.  We 
told  him  of  our  success  with  the  master,  and  of  our  need  of 
something  to  eat.  He  said  the  master  was  a  tiger;  and 
that  thqre  was  not  a  day  that  some  were  not  flosrged,  or  driven 
to  the  bush;  but  he  was  a  rich  man,  and  could  have  all  the 
slaves  he  wanted  from  the  government,  free  of  expense.     He 


r 


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156 


NARRATfVR  OF  A 


If     53 


>     ! 


said  he  waa  a  very  influential  man,  in  government  affairs. 
Says  he  ''we  are  obliged  to  steal  provisions,  to  keep  from  star- 
ving. We  are  obliged  to  work  hard,  early  and  late.  The 
rations  that  he  allows  us  are  not  noar  enough;  and  of  poor 
quality."  But  says  he — "you  must  have  a  part  of  iho 
men's  dinner.  They  can  get  along  till  night;  then  they  must 
try  pinching,  (a  term  sigifying  stealing).  All  that  he  had 
cooked,  for  a  dinner,  for  twenty  men,  was  a  little,  poor,  boiled 
mutton,  and  dam|<ers;  such  as  I  described  ns  being  baked  in 
ashes;  and  I  can  assure  you,  it  was  hardly  sufficient  for  five 
men.  As  hungry  as  wo  wore,  we  were  loth  to  accept  a  mor 
sel;  but  the  prisoner  who  is  termed  a  very  bad  and  wicked 
man  urged  us  to  eat.  While  we  were  eating,  the  men  came 
in.  They  looked  poor  and  ragged.  We  felt  guilty,  as  wo 
were  seated  on  a  bonch  with  a  piece  of  meat  and  damper  in 
our  hands.  As  they  came  in,  we  rose  up  to  give  them  their 
seats;  the  cook  at  the  same  time  telling  them,  who  we  were, 
and  of  ouv  being  hungry.  We  began  to  excuse  our  interrupt 
tion,  and  our  robbing  'nem  of  their  dinner;  but  they  all  replied 
at  once — *'no  excuse  my  lads!  eat  away!  we  know  what  it  is 
to  bo  in  want  of  something  to  eat !  we  know  what  hunger  is! 
eat  hearty  my  lads,  if  you  can  find  anything  to  oat!"  They 
would  take  no  excuse,  but  almost  all,  urgedus  to  take  a  part 
of  their  morsel.  "W©  must  pinch  some  of  the  cove  to-night, 
at  some  rate,  if  we  are  too  hungry!"  Some  remarked,  they 
did  not  care  if  they  vere  caught  at  it;  for  they  could,  not  be 
much  worse  off  on  the  roads,  than  they  were  there.'  * , '  '"' 

c  Reader,  can  you  blame  men  for  stealing,  when  they  are 
compelled  to  work  hard  for  this  rich  man,  and  allowed 
nothing  for  it,  not  even  decent  clothes,  and  not  enough  to 
eat,  and  that  not  as  good  as  his  bull  dogs  get  for  assisting 
the  tiger  in  keeping  the  slaves  under  subjection?  If  you 
knew  as  much  about  it  as  I  do,  you  would  quickly  deter- 
mine  which  was  the  gentleman,  the  slave  or  his  master. — 
O  the  abominable  craft,  will  it  never  be  broken  up  and  the 
slaves  go  free  !  I  would  not  have  you  think  that  I  consider 
it  a  great  sin  to  be  rich,  for  1  believe  there  are  many  that 
are  in  possession  of  wealth  that  have  accumulated  it  honor- 
ably, and  are  worthy  of  the  appellation  of  gentlemen  and 
ladies,  but  I  believe  there  are  far  too  many  that  have  wrong- 


I 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


157 


ed  their  neighbor  and  reduced  him  to  a  slavo  for  thcsnkoof 
gold,  far  too  many  that  have  obtained  it  dishonorably  and 
use  it  in  acts  of  oppression.  Deliver  me  from  evor  .Tgain 
falling  into  the  power  of  such  gentlemen.  Wo  kindly 
thanked  these  poor  men  for  their  hospitality  to  us,  for  they 
would  not  take  a  farthing  from  us  ;  they  told  us  we  would 
want  all  we  had,  and  they  would  let  us  have  more  if  it  was 
in  their  power.  Which  of  these  classes  of  men  have 
been  the  means  of  robbing  poor  Ireland,  to  whom  the  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States  are  now  so  liberally  admiiiistoring 
relief,  whilst  rich  lordlings  are  sporting  and  rolling  in  luxu- 
ries that  have  been  wrested  from  them  in  various  forms. 
We  ought  to  rejoice  that  it  is  in  our  power  to  render  them 
assistance  at  this  critical  time.  The  Canadian  patriots  in 
Van  Dieman^s  Land  would  have  rejoiced  to  have  received 
similar  assistance,  during  their  seven  years  bondage,  bui 
their  crime  was  so  aggravated  and  of  such  magnitude  they 
had  no  reason  to  expect  favor  or  mercy  from  any  Christian 
people  ! — it  was  such  an  enormous,  degrading,  abominabio 
and  outrageous  crime,  and  committed  too,  as  Matty  asserts, 
by  such  lawless  and  degraded  characters  ;  Sir  John  and 
the  editor  of  the  Boston  Notion,  with  many  others,  taking 
it  for  granted,  on  account  of  the  enormity  of  our  crime,  thai 
we  must  be  very  bad  men  indeed  ;  but  why  does  it  happen 
that  not  a  man  of  us  ever  saw  the  inside  of  a  states  prison 
or  county  jail,  or  house  of  correction ^f  any  description 
whatever,  or  were  ever  brought  before  a  magistrate  for  any 
crime,  how  happens  it  that  the  very  lirst  act  or  crime  is  one 
of  such  magnitude,  as  Sir  John  says,  Matty  and  others  wil- 
ling to  confirm  the  assertion  ?  Why,  it  was  for  daring  to 
take  up  arms  in  defence  of  our  rights,  against  tyrants,  as 
did  our  fathers  of  '70.  But  we  were  not  so  successful,  and 
instead  of  being  honored  are  accounted  the  worst  num  in  the 
world.  O,  my  God,  what  shall  we  do  to  atone  for  such  an 
enormous  crime  !  Shall  the  persecution  continue  even  in  a 
republican  government,  the  people  of  which  have  suffered 
so  much  from  the  same  source,  will  they  now  knuckle  to  the 
tyrants  and  acknowledge  our  punishment  just?  I  will  not 
believe  it.  Still,  it  may  not  seem  quite  so  honorable  to  as- 
sist our  6wn  countrymen,  who  have  been   dragged  to  a  for- 


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158 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


eiga  land,  and  for  the  last  six  or  seven  years  have  been  for- 
Baken  by  all  except  the  cruel  oppressor,  as  to  expend  thous- 
ands of  dollars  on  the    dead    bodies  of  some  of  the  officers 
that  fell  in  the  first   skirmish    in    Mexico,    wito  have  been 
.  I  carried  through  the  country,   and    after  being  exhibited  and 
accompanied  by  a  great  train  at  great  expense,  have  finally 
been  interred  with  martial  pomp.     It  is  all  right,  but  are  we 
not  able  also  to  bring  the  poor  soldier  who  has  so  nobly 
stepped  forth   and  volunteered  to  fight  for  his  country,  and 
has  also  foil  covei'ed   with  wounds,  nobly   fighting  to  the 
last,  who  perhaps  has  left  a  wife   and   family  to  mourn  his 
,^  loss,  can  there  not  be  something  done  to  cheer  them  up. — 
,j  O,   says  one,   she  is  a  poor  woman,  her  husband  was  noth- 
h  ing  but  a  poor  soldier,  he  did  not   aspire  to   the    office  of 
,^  captain  or  general,  he  was  contented  to  be  a  common  man, 
'  and  therefore  must  not  be  iionored  with  ceremonies,  or  even 
,j  a  decent   burial.     We    would  not  be  subject  to  applause  or 
^  honor  if  we  paid  the  least   regard  or  respect  to  a  poor  sol- 
dier ;  England  would  laugh  at  us ;  therefore  we  must  imi- 
'  tate  them  in  every  respect  as  much  as  possible,  if  we  would 
^  wish  to  be  called  great  and  good  ;  honors  and  titles  are  fast 
f;  beconjing  all  that  is  necessary  to  constitute  the  gentleman  ; 
..  pomp  is  all  that  is  required. 

,j      When  I  was  in   that   miserable  isle,    my  mind,  sleeping 

*,  or  awake,  was  often  wandering  across  the  briny  seas  to  our 

!^  fair  and  happy  shores  ;  all  my  delight   appeared   to  be   in 

^  wondering,  meditating,  and  admiring  our  good   institutions 

.  and  our  prospect  of  not  being  behind  any  of  the  nations  of 

.  the  earth  as  to  privileges,  and  not  only  of  setting  them  an 

^  example,  but  of  being  able  to  maintain  a  character  for  so- 

j^  briety,  generosity,    economy,    philanthropy   and   equality, 

.,  which    would  cause  the  despots  of  the  old  world  to  tremble 

^  with  fear,  and  the  nations  of  the  earth  to  acknowledge  and 

.,  bow  in  reverence  to  acts   that  would  be  so  beneficial  to  all, 

rich  or  poor,  bond  or  free.     O,  shall  I  be  mistaken  in  such 

.,  thoughts,  wandering  as  they  were  from  a  poor  forsaken  ex- 

j,  ile  or  slave  on  the  confines  of  a  little  prison  island,  sixteen 

thousand  miles  from  my  native  land,  and  little  prospect  of 

ever  being  blest  with  a  sight  of  it,  or  of  men  that  have  any 

idea  'of  republican  institutions,  or  of  the  least  feelings  for 


PATRIOT   KXILR. 


in). 


159 


the  unfortunate  poor,  but  in  striving  for  wealth  and  pow- 
or  have  lost  all  feelings  of  humanity,  if  they  ever  had  any? 
I  trust  not,  ^.^  _    ,    , 

There  may  be  some  hints  in  this  work  that^'Wlfl  fiM  1)0 
very  acceptable  lo  some,  but  if  you  could  comprchciid  or 
in  any  manner  consider  the  situation  that  I  have  been  in, 
and  the  cause  of  their  being  uttered,  niethinks  you  would 
manifest  feelings  of  pity  and  sympathy,  rather  than  hatred 
or  ilUwill,  for  I  mean  it  all  for  good,  though  the  language 
may  not  be  as  mild  and  egreeuble,  as  it  would  from  a  more 
flattering  hand.  I  uma  plain  man,  and  when  1  speak  wish 
to  do  it  so  as  to  be  understood  ;  though  not  accustomed  Ux 
use  that  polish  that  has  become  so  necessary  in  orcfcr  to 
please  the  ear  of  refinement.  I  do  not  pretend  to  be  so  i»reat 
a  man  as  General  Taylor,  but  may  be  like  him  a  souie 
respects,  rather  rough  and  ready  ;  perhaps  it  may  be  uc- 
counted  for  by  my  being  in  such  rough  hands  for  the  lj2t 
seven  years  ;  if  my  treatment  during  that  time  woukd  noi: 
make  a  man  rough,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  what  wovf/d. 
But  as  I  was  endeavoring  to  explain  our  sufle rings  \\\  Vau. 
Dieman's  Land,  I  must  return  and  be  serious,  for  I  can  a.*' 
sure  you,  it  was  a  serious  piece  of  business  to  us.  Bui  J 
the  enormity  of  our  crime!  Can  we  ever  again  cxpeci  lo 
be  reinstated,  or  even  raise  our  heads  in  our  beloved  native 
land,  or  shall  we  go  mourning  all  our  days,  with  our  heads 
bowed  like  the  bulrush,  to  our  graves,  for  fear  and  slmme, 
for  ever  daring  to  raise  a  finger  in  opposition  to  the  tyranva 
cruel  power.  However  degrading  it  may  appear  to  the  free 
born  sons  of  America,  or  to  any  other  nation,  I  can  assure 
you  1  have  no  shame  on  my  part  for  the  attempt,  though 
not  successful.  But  in  the  next  attempt,  let  us  ha^e  faith 
and  power  sutHcient  to  disposse!)s  the  tyrants  of  a  Toot  ^f 
land  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

I  have  thus  far  been  brief  in  relation  to  oui  oufjefings, 
I  have  not  gone  into  every  particular  as  thry  occurred,  but 
have  given  a  mere  sample  of  our  treafmeni,  that  you  may 
form  some  faint  conception  of  't,  for  I  am  confident  that  if 
everything  was  related  as  it  occurred,  scarcely  a  person  in 
this  country  would  credit  it.  I  assure  you  there  is  no  exag- 
geration in  what  I  have  told  you  in  my  plain  way,   making 


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NARRATIVE  OF  A 


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no  pretence  to  scientific  or  scholastic   precision,    and   with 
no  expectation  of  escaping  the  eye  of  the  critic. 

To  return  to  our* narrative  : — we    pass  on,    but   fihd  no 
shelter  for  the  night;  we  built  a  small  fire  in  as  concealed 
a  place  as  possible,  pulled  some  wild  grass  and  green  boughs, 
laid  them  on  the  ground,  spread  our   blankets,    and  all  bui 
one, lay  down  ;   ho  was  standing  In  front  of  our  camp,  dry- 
ing his  feet  by  the  fire  ;  all  of  a  sudden  there    was  an  a()- 
proach  of  three  armed  constables,  the  foremost  one  singiug 
out  with  a  commanding  voico,  *'  Stand,  move  not  an  inch,  or 
I  will  blow  your  brains  out,"     Their   muskets   are  cocked, 
and  to  a  present ;  they  inquire,  who  are  you,   and  what  i^ 
your  business  here  ?     On  being  told   who  we  were,  that  wp 
were  not  bush  rangers  but  ticket  of  leave  men,  they  seemed 
a  little  reconciled,  for  they  at  first  appeared  agitated  throngli 
fear,  as  was  manifest  by   the  trembling  of  their  voice.     No 
doubt  they  supposed  us  bush  rangers,  and  that  we  would  ai 
once  prepare  to  defend  ourselves  as   such.     But   on   being 
told  we  held  tickets,    and  after  wo    had  given  them  a  shoii 
history  of  our  troubles  and  trials,  they  said  they  were  sorry, 
but  they  had  strict  orders  to  apprehend  every  one  that  at- 
tempts  to   kindle   a    fire  or  that  camps  in  the  bush  with  or 
without  fire.  If  the  jnasterof  this  land  should  know  of  your 
kindling  a  fire  or  camping  on  his  premises,  he  would  hav( 
you  tried  and   punished.     We  could   not   dispute   it,  after 
learning  that  it    belonged    to  the  tiger  that  had  refused  us  n 
morsel,  even  by  paying  for  it ;  he  being  such   a  great  and 
wealthy  man,  and  by  our  infringeing  in  the  least  on  his  vast 
domains,    we   need   expect  nothing   but  punishment  at  hi* 
hands.     Wc  asked  the  constables  what  we  were  to  do  ?  w. 
could  find  no  place  to  lodge   if  we  were  not  allowed  sheltcM 
by  the  men  that  owned    all,    and  not  even  allowed  a  resting 
place  upon  the  cold  damp  earth  ;  under  such  circumstance* 
what  are  we  to  do?     It  is  a  hard  case,  said  they,  but  it  is  the 
law,  and  we  poor  folks  have  to  abide  by  it.    But,  said  I,  ^Sir 
John  told  us  we  could    have  the  libertv  of  the  island  at  ono 
time,  and  afterwards  of  one   district  only,  but  I  suppose  he 
nneant  that  we  would  be  allowed   a    little    spot   beneath  the 
surface  of  a  district,  if  so  be  we  could  find  a  gentleman  that 
was  willing,  and  who  had  a  retired   or   worthless  spot  that 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


l(ii 


was  fit  for  nothing  else,  and  could  spare  a  servaiii  long 
enough  to  dig  a  hole  and  tumble  us  in.  They  will  be 
obliged  to  do  that,  for  if  \vc  are  not  allowed  a  spot  on  this 
surface  when  we  are  alive,  certainly,  we  will  not  be  allow- 
ed to  lay  upon  the  surface  when  we  are  dead. 

One  of  my  comrads  remarked,  it  has  just  occurred  to  me 
that  we  must  be  in  hell  :  it  must  be,  for  we  have  found  dev- 
ils here  in  all  shapes,  big  and  little  ;  the  big  one  told  us  as 
soon  as  we  landed  in  his  dominions,  that  we  need  never 
expect  mercy,  but  perpetual  punishment,  at  tlic  same  time 
intimating  that  good  conduct  should  be  rewarded  ;  but  I 
suppose  it  was  for  tiie  purpose  of  enhancing  our  misery, 
for  certain  I  am  that  if  men,  women  and  children  are  sent 
here  for  the  purpose  of  reforming  and  making  them  better, 
they  must  experience  different  treatment,  or  the  reverse  is 
and  will  be  invariably  the  case,  for  as  they  are  now  situa- 
ted, there  is  no  prospect  of  reform  or  of  their  becoming  in 
any  degree  better.  '  »  '  n     -'j        ".    .  '     , 

Nothmg  will  do  but  the  constables  nfiust  see  us  r^thovea 
from  that  place  ;  but  where  can  we  go  1  Said  they,  there 
is  a  hut  about  two  miles  from  here  ;  we  are  going  that  way 
and  we  will  see  if  you  can  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  sleep- 
ing there  through  the  night  ;  there  is  only  one  man  occu- 
pying it,  and  it  is  a  good  sized  hut.  So  we  had  to  pull  up 
stakes.  I  think  it  was  near  eleven  o'clock.  It  was  quitd 
dark,  and  raining  hard  at  the  time  ;  we  roll  up  our  wet 
blankets,  being  hungry,  wet  and  tired,  I  at  the  time  having 
a  high  fever,  produced  from  the  pain  in  my  side  and  breast. 
On  reaching  the  hut,  through  the  rain  and  mud,  I  at  once 
lay  down,  without  asking  permission.  I  was  completely 
exhausted,  and  do  not  bolieve  I  could  have  gone  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  farther  upon  any  consideration  whatever.  My 
appetite  for  a  long;  lime  had  been  poor.  It  could  easily  be 
discovered  that  if  our  treatment  continued  much  longer  as 
it  had  been,  T  should  soon  bid  adieu  to  all  below.  There 
being  a  fire-place  in  tht3  hut,  the  man  on  being  informed  of 
our  situation,  got  up  and  kindled  a  fire  and  made  us  some 
tea  ;  though  it  was  of  poor  quality,  it  seemed  to  nourish 
and  revive  me  considerably.  After  drinking  it,  and  drying 
my  clothes,  the  man  letting  me  have  his  own  bed,  covering 


■■iv:^ 


« 


r 


•  4. 


1)1 


I. 


'  '  I! 


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)  '1' 


1 1  < 


162 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


M 


n^t 


i-  s 


me  with  clothes  till  I  was  almost  smothered,  and  putting 
some  warm  stones  to  my  feet,  I  perspired  profusely,  and 
when  morning  came,  my  fever  had  abated.  I  rose  feeling 
better  than  I  had  for  a  long  time,  though  quite  weak,  f 
knew  that,  rest,  both  of  body  and  mind  was  nece«sary  in 
order  for  me  to  survive  much  longer.  We  therefore 
agreed  for  the  privilege  of  stopping  there  for  that  purpose, 
as  well  as  for  those  that  were  able  to  try  to  find  something 
to  do  whereby  to  sustain  life.  We  made  that  our  home  for 
nearly  two  weeks.  I  composed  myself  as  much  as  possible 
whilethe  men  were  travelling  about  in  search  of  work. — 
Sometimes  they  were  gone  two  or  three  days  at  a  time,  but 
would  invariably  return  with  the  same  account,  that  the 
settlers  were  all  supplied  with  help  from  government. — 
Surely,  these  settlers  ought  to  be  good  government  men, 
when  they  have  not  only  land,  but  all  the  help  they  want  in 
tilling  it.  The  trutli  is,  they  are  a  part  of  government  it- 
self, on  account  of  their  wealth,  being  all  officers  of  some 
description.  Finally,  the  men  gave  up  completely  discour- 
aged. They  had  been  to  the  farther  end  of  the  district,  and 
to  every  settler  therein  ;  they  had  even  tried  to  work  for 
their  board,  but  mind  you  it  is  not  such  board  as  is  to  be  had 
in  America ;  even  if  you  are  a  freeman  there  and  obliged 
to  labor  for  your  living,  you  must  live  in  the  old  huts  with 
the  prisoners  and  have  the  same  rations  weighed  out  to  you 
weekly,  cook  it  yourself,  and  do  your  own  washing  and 
mending;  you  are  not  allowed  otgo  into  the  master's  house 
without  requested  by  the  master  or  mistress,  and  then  you 
must  touch  your  cap  and  at  the  call  or  to  any  question  ask- 
ed, say,  Yes  sir.  No  sir,  yes  madam,  no  madam,  dsc. — 
Though  your  conduct  may  be  ever  so  good,  as  long  as  you 
are  a  prisoner  or  if  you  have  become  free,  it  makes  no  dif- 
ference; as  long  as  you  are  a  poor  man  or  woman,  you  are 
kept  at  a  distance,  and  no  freedom  or  conversation  allowed 
except  orders  for  work  or  punishment.  Thus  you  see  there 
is  a  certain  class,  or  banditti,  or  any  name  that  you  may 
please  to  call  them,  that  has  for  a  long  time  and  most  likely 
will  continue  to  oppress  and  enslave  the  poor  so  long  as  the 
people  are  willing  to  submit  and  by  so  doing  acknowledge 
their  superiority  and  right  to  lordit  ,gye]|r  themp,    0.  w(»en^ 


^  iv: 


PATRIOT   EXILU. 


163 


will  the  people  learn  to  call  no  man  master,  and  to  maintain 
their  rights  as  freemen,  and  not  allow  the  man  to  be  com- 
pletely enslaved  for  life,  who  dares  to  raise  a  finger  or  open 
his  mouth  in  defence  of  freedom,  and  in  opposition  to  aris- 
tocracy, which  admits  of  the  iVoudom  of  a  few  only.      '   • 

We  arc  now  consulting  as  to  the  course  wo  are  to  fake 
and  the  means  to  bo  pursued  in  order  to  keep  o-it  of  trouble, 
as  they  call  it,  after  a  man  has  received  indulgence  or  ticket 
of  leave.  After  trying  all  in  his  power  h)  obtain  work, 
being  disappointed,  he  is  often  diiveu  to  ti  e  necessity  of 
stealing,  as  it  is  called  ;  there  being  so  man ,  on  the  watch, 
he  is  sure  to  be  detected,  taken,  tried,  and  sentenced  to 
one  or  two  years  addition  to  his  original  sentence  on  the 
roads  ;  or  if,  in  taking  a  morsel  to  keep  from  sttirvation,  ho 
should  in  the  least  use  violence  or  threats  to  the  master  or 
any  officer,  the  gallows  is  sure  to  end  his  sufferings  in  this, 
life. 

This  method  of  management  appears  to  be  one  of  their 
deep  laid  plans  to  keep  the  poor  continually  in  trouble  and 
bonds,  and  subject  to  their  commands  ;  though  to  deceive 
and  blind  the  eyes  of  other  nations,  or  of  any  that  may 
inquire  into  the  treatment  of  the  prisoner,  jthe  answer  wiil 
be — O,  they  have  all  the  indulgences  that  could  be  expected, 
considering  they  are  such  very  bad  characters;  we  as  a 
nation,  are  doing  all  we  can  to  prevent  crime  and  to  alleviate 
the  wants  of  the  n!  edy.  This  may  be  believt'd  by  many, 
proceeding  as  it  does  from  the  big  rich  gentleman.  Believe 
it  who  may,  let  me  declare  to  you  my  opinion,  as  one  know- 
ing their  many  schemes  and  modes  of  oppression,  that  those 
who  arc  the  cause  of  so  much  siutTeiing  and  punishment  are 
the  worst  of  the  two,  and  more  deserving  of  the  same  treat- 
ment themselves,  but  as  they  have  all  [)i)\ver  on  earth,  ihoy 
can  commit  crimes  of  the  deepest  die,  and  no  one  dare  say, 
why  do  ye  thus  i  Any  one  daring  to  speak  against  their 
rights,  is  liable  to  be  murdered  upon  the  gallows  or  at  once 
b  ^headed,  or  doomed  to  drag  out  a  miserable  \\l\i  in  dun- 
goons  or  in  servitude  to  th•^se  miscreants.  If  this  should 
fail  of  being  accomplished  according  to  law,  ilieir  dignity 
must  be  maintained  by  power,  causing  the  oppn^ssed  to  fight 
and  subdue  the  oppressed,    and    thus  maintain  their  dignity 


4  ■       ■ 

1  ■'.-*■:'  . 


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164 


NARHATIVl!:  OF  A 


^  as  a  humane,  condescending  and  Christit^n  people.  O  God, 
deliver  us  from  tyrants,  in  wiialovcr  shape  or  form  they 
may  appear  ;  though  the  nations  of  the  earth,  arc  estimated 
as  beconiing  wiser  and  better,  yet  how  blind  to  tiie  many 
plots,  intrigues  and  snares  that  have  been  and  still  arc  de- 
vised to  oppress  and  grind  the  poor  to  tliedust ;  thcyassuVne 
many  and  various  forms. 

After  consulting  together  some  time,  wo  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  their  manner  of  dealing  with  us  was  for  the  pur- 

•|pos9  of  causing  us  to  commit  some  crime,  cither  by  stealing 
something  to  eat  or  of  taking  the  bush,  or  some  other  way, 

^  in  order  that  we  might   be  dctuincd    longer  on   account  of 

^some  crime  committed  in  the  colony.     We   determined   to 

/disappoint  them  if  possible.     Accordingly,  wo  go  to  the  po- 

,  lice  office,  which  was  about  twelve  miles  distant,  and  told 
the  magistrate  wo  wished  to  got  our  tickets  changed  (or 
Norfolk  district,  that  we  had  tried  fnilhfully  for  work  in 
this  distrtct,  and  could  get  none  at  any  rate,  and  if  it  was 
not  possible  to  have  their»  changed,   we  should  go  to  Hobart 

'Town  and  sec  the  Governor,  and  inform  him  of  our  situa- 
'tion,   and  that  we  did  not  think  it  was  possible   that  he  was 

I  aware  of  our  treatment.  I  should  have  mentioned  before, 
ithat  Sir  John  had  been  recalled  and  a  new  Governor  by  the 
name  of  Sir  John  E.  Eardley  Wihnot  appointed  instead.  1 
had  previously  sent  him  a  memorial  of  some  length,  setting 
forth  our  grievances.  Me  appeared  astonished  that  Frank- 
lin should  even  take  it  upon  himself  to  receive  us  in  the  col- 
ony at  all,  without  a  sentence.  If  he  had  been  Governor 
at  the  time,  he  would  not  have  received  us  on  such  grounds; 
but  as  it  was  an  act  of  Sir  John's,  ho  could  do  nothing  in 
the  matter,  until  he  wrote  home  concerning  us,  and  in  so 
doing  would  recommend  our  liberation  at  once  from  the 
Island,  and  that  unrler   the    circumstances   ho    considered 

*  we  had  no  business  there. 

^  The  magistrate  said  it  was  out  of  his  power  to  grant  the 
request ;  but  he  would  write  to  Mr.  Spodo,  the  chief  police 
magisimte  in  Hobart  town,  for  a  permit  for  us  to  leave  this 
for  Norful'c  district.  He  told  us  to  call  again  in  four  days 
from  then,  w  U"n  he  thought  he  would  have  an  answer.  We 

.called,  but  he  ^uid  he  had  not  received  an  answer  yet;   we 


•f    ' 


FATRIOT  SXILS* 


1«5 


OGod, 
irm  they 
estimated 
lie  many 
I  are  do- 
ty assiiVnc 

)  the  con- 
ir  the  pur- 
y  stealing 
thcr  way, 
ccount  of 
rmined   to 
to  the  po- 
:,  and  told 
langed  lor 
'  work    in 
1  if   it  was 
to  Hobart 
our  situa- 
mt  he  was 
led  before, 
nor  by  the 
nstead.     1 
;th,  setting 
at  Frank- 
lin the  col- 
Governor 
grounds; 
[nothing  in 
nd   in  so 
from  the 
considered 

grant  the 
1^1  ief  police 
leave  this 
four  days 
5wer.  We 
[•  yet ;    we 


«&tled  Rg)iin  the  third  (|ay ;  he  th^n  said  he  had  received 
an  answer,  which  wis  that  we  could  go.  He  gave  us  jias* 
ses  accordingly,  and  w«i  start,  tidying  for  work  ut  every 
settit^TB  e^^tMtL^  until  we  urrive  at  Norfolk,  distant  36  miles. 
About  tlie  0  «nter  of  th**  district  is  considerable  of  a  village. 
U  is  situated  on  the  riv(?r  Dcrvvent,  which  is  navigable  for 
small  ^t•nm'rs•  fron  there  to  Hoburt  Town  ;  there  are  one 
or  two  run  it  daily.  In  this  place  the n^  is  a  hospital  ;  bei- 
fore  we  left  the  ronds,  nnd  whilst  nt  Sandy  Bav  Station,  I 
think  it  was  the  third  week  from  landing,  one  of  our  com- 
rads  was  taken  to  this  f)laro  on  account  of  inflammation  in 
the  t\ves  ;  t\(\rr  ho  had  left  us,  we  made  inquiry  respect- 
ing him,  hilt  could  hear  nothing  from  him  for  a  long  limo  : 
ane  day  I  saw  a  prisoner  that  was  telling  of  being  at  this 
place  a  long  timi'?  with  sore  eyes,  I  a^kcd  him  if  ho  knew  a 
man  by  the^name  of  .'ames  P.  Williams.  He  snid  he  knew 
him  vw.'il,  that  he  was  d -ad  ;  that  he  suffered  extremely  on 
iccount  of  his  eyes,  nnd  of  inhuman  treatment  by  practi* 
'.ioners ;  he  felt  sorry  for  him.  for  he  seemed  a  nice  young 
man;  poor  man,  he  was  fairly  murdered  by  inches;  his 
eyes  w  re  cut  and  mangled  in  a  horrible  manner.  Said 
he,  he  livrd  ahrml  eight  njonths  from  his  arrival  hero,  suf- 
fering e.xtremr'ly  until  death. 

Mr.  Fcro  and  mvself  went  to  the  hospital,  to  learn,  if 
possible,  his  fate  ;  but  after  inquiry,  found  no  one  there 
that  could  or  was  willing  to  give  any  account  of  him  ; 
hey  were  not  willintj  that  we  should  know  anything  of  him 
ir  the  manner  of  his  death.  As  we  were  leaving  the  yard 
there  were  four  men  passing  out,  at  the  same  time,  with  a 
rough  box.  They  had  on  long  white  linen  frocks.  Out 
»f  curiosity,  we  followed  them  fo:  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile,  when  they  came  tonn  enclosed  low  wet  field,  and  as 
'hey  passed  in  we  di>?covered  a  hole;  they  set  the  box 
lown,  and  commenced  talking  or  rather  quarrelling  about 
ihe  hole  not  being  long  enough  to  receive  the  box  ;  after 
^nsiderable  loud  and  rough  talk  and  measuring,  the  box 
v7a<»  elevated,  and  at  the  word  *drop' they  sung  our,  *'there 
you  are,  my  heart ien,  whoever  you  are  it's  more  than  we 
know,'*  the  water.  a<9  the  box  fell,  flying  as  high  a/i  the) r 
iieads;  a(\er  a  man's  jumping  on  one  end  to  make  ft  a 
14 


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NAREATtVI  OP  A 


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Ktde  levelf  it  was  soon  covered  up  mefely  level  with  the^^ 
safffitce  ;  as  they  came  out«  1  a^ked  one  of  ihem  who  it  wbs 
tliey  had  juHt  buried  ;^*  O,'  snys  he,  '^it's  moi-e  than  I 
know,  but  it's  no  one  in  particulur,  but  u  part  uf  thr^eor 
four  prisoners."  i  asked  him  if  he  knew  one  uf  the  Can- 
adian prisoners  by  the  name  of  Williams,  who  died  there 
some  lime  ago.  ♦*  Had  he  sore  eyes,"  said  he.  *»  Yes, 
I  believe  he  had."  *K)  yes,  poor  man,  he  sufFr red  a  great 
deal.  1  felt  sorry  for  him  ;  he  was  treated  shumet'ully  ; 
his  flesh,  what  little  was  rtmnining,  lies  somewhere  in 
that  yard,  but  he  could  not  tell  where,  as  there  was  no 
uniformity  in  burying  prisoners;  they  are  tumbled  in  just 
as  it  happens.  1  suppose  his  bones  aru  in  the  hands  of 
sotne  of  the  young  students  ;  maybe  in  England  before  this 
time  ;  it's  more  than  1  umnllowtd  to  know  ;  he  was  a  fine 
young  man  ;  I  used  to  like  to  h(  ur  him  talk  about  America; 
America  must  be  a  Hne  country,  according  to  his  tell ;  1  wish 
I  was  there  ;  but  hi^re  1  am,  a  prisoner,  and  most  likely 
1  abull  always  remain  one."  We  now  came  lo  a  turn, 
and  they  went  one  way,  we  the  other,  and  returned  to 
oiir  hut.     air.ni  '"uiiioii  i\  (U  !>','=:f*!i-  3iio  f  *r  *  e; 

We  wandered  around  in  search  of  work,  and  at  one  placa 
there  was  a  gentleman  said  we  could  go  to  work  for  our 
board,  but  after  a  little  inquiry  we  found  him  to  be  of 
such  a  character  that  it  would  not  be  safe  to  be  on  his 
premises  at  all  ;  there  were  a  great  many  poor  men  at 
work  for  him  at  no  Wagi-s  and  not  half  enough  to  eatj 
they  were  drove  like  brutes.  We  tried  hard  for  the  priv- 
ilege of  going  from  there  to  Hobart  Town,  but  were  not 
allowed  ;  we  wanted  to  see  the  Governor,  and  were  told 
his  excellency  was  expected  at  Norfolk  in  about  a  week. 
We  tried  hard  f<»r  the  privilege  of  sjieaking  to  him,  bul 
he  was  in  such  haste*  and  had  so  much  business  on  hand 
that  there  was  no  possible  chance  of  getting  near  enough 
to  speak  to  him. 

We  finally,  after  remaining  there  near  two  months,  with 
what  money  we  had^  hy  living  sparingly  and  occasionally 
hunting  kangaroo,  we  managed  to  stop  that  length  of  timer 
without  ubminittingany  depredation;  though  once,  constai>le» 
fuahed^fnto  oar  ku  in  the  m|;ht^  aiiiid  aeked  i^*  we   were  all 


»  1 


PAtlllOT  IXILt. 


m' 


therd;  on  being  told  that  wo  were,  they  would  not  believe  it 
until  we  got  up.  They  would  not  be  satisfied  until  they  had 
searched  the  hut;  for  some  things,  they  said,  had  jUst  been 
stolen  near  by.  We  thanlced  them  for  their  compliment, 
and  told  them  it  wns  not  a  very  gentlemanly  way  of  intro- 
ducing  themselves:  and,  unless  some  of  the  stolen  articles 
were  deposited  there  by  tttemselves,  or  some  others, 
like  them,  we  thought  they  would  not  find  any  on  our  prem*. 
ises;  and  that  we  were  not  in  the  habit  of  stealing;  and  if  it 
was  in  our  own  country  that  they  performed  in  that  manner, 
they  would  fare  rather  slim;  but  as  it  was,  we  dared  not  to 
resist;  and  they  were  aware  of  it. 

As  there  is  a  trifle  coming  to  the  constables,  from  govern- 
ment, for  each  prisoner,  arrested,  tried,  and  sentenced,  they 
having  privileges  that  prisoners  are  not  allowed,  often  steal 
and  deposit  some  of  the  orticles  in  sorrje  prisoner's  hut;  then 
come  in  and  search  a  little,  find  it,  take  the  poor  man  or  men 
before  a  magistrate,  who  tries,  and  sentences  them  to  six 
months  or  a  year  on  the  roads,  perhaps  to  work  in  chains. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  of  his  guilt,  because  the  good  consta- 
ble actually  found  the  articles  in  his  possession!  The  con- 
stable is  rewarded  for  stealing,  and  the  prisoner  punished 
for  not  stealing.  It  is  all  right  because  he  is  an  oflScer  of 
government;  and  the  other,  a  slave,  and  subject  to  him,  and 
all  of  the  higher  officers.  '    *       ■  ir>  :>/i 

After  trying  hard,  we  succeeded  in  getting  a  pass  for 
Brighton  District.  One  object  was,  we  heard  that  the  mag- 
istrate  there  would  be  more  likely  to  get  us  the  privilege 
of  going  to  Hobart  Town;  and  another  was,  being  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Green  Pond  Station;  where  we  had 
been  partly  promised  employment  after  the  term  of  proba- 
tion had  expired.  There  is  a  small  village  near  the  station, 
which  is  on  the  main  road  from  Hobart  to  Launceston.  We 
had  nearly  thirty  miles  to  travel  principally  through  the 
bush,  to  reach  this  village,  which  consisted  of  two  stores, 
two  taverns,  two  churches,  a  watch  house,  a  police  office,  a 
company  of  fifty  or  sixty  soldiers,  barracks,  &c.  On  our 
arrival  there,  as  we  had  a  little  money,  our  first  object  was, 
te  obtain  a  hut  tolodgAin,  not  far  from  the  place;  and  a«  pro* 
fusions'  at  tiiat  time,  were  high,  we  were  obligedto  life  aocoTr 


*li''      . 


•Mi 


nM 


H  U 


H 


i: 

'•'V 


III 


I 


:.:i: 

t 

iii ' 

• 

*     1 

:i 

,8' 
•  ■1     * . 

H^S-' 


m 


NARR^Jiy*,jJ)|P  4 


1  I 


.!?.. 


ding,  to  our  nne!\ns;  and  as  to  meanst  we  may  say —  they  were 
nothing;  and  a  fair  |iruspect  of  remaining  so.  Our  next 
object  was,  loseu  the  inagistnite.  But  on  enquiring,  ibund, 
that  Mr.  ErskLne,  wiio  was  nt  that  plact  when  wo  were  on 
that  station,  was  gone;  ami  nnoiiier  hud  taken  his  placu;  but 
not  anything  like  as  descent  a  man  as  Mr.  Erskine.  We 
were  some»vimt  disMppointed.  It  was  finally  seilleid,  that  I 
should  go  and  see  iho  magistrate.  I  went  and  told  him  ot* 
our  misibrlunes,  and  thai  il'  ii  was  in  his  power,  we  wished 
him  to  grant  us  the  privilege  ol"  goijig  lo  tJobart  Town. 
Said  he — -^you  have  noi  been  in  thisdibtrict  but  a  lew  days, 
I  think  you  can  gel  something  to  do — At  all  events,  I  cannot 
allow  you  to  go  lo  town,  for  it  is  evident,  you  are  determined 
to  make  your  escape  from  ihc  Inland  !  You  have  made  two 
or  three  alicmpls,  already,  and  I  have  had  strict  orders  not 
lo  let  you  go  to  town,  or  near  the  sea  shore  on  any  account 
whatever  !"  I  returned  and  reported  progress.  Two  of 
the  men  set  out  in  search  of  work  and  were  gone  two  days. 
They  returned  much  dejected,  rested  a  lilile, and  tried  again, 
but  no  success.  Afier  remaining  four  weeks,  and  iho  pros- 
pects still  dull,  I  went  to  a  man  who  had  been  a  constable 
and  keeper  of  the  watch  house.  We  had  seen  him  often 
while  on  the  roads.  He  had  managed  to  get  considerable 
land,  had  just  built  a  steam  grist-mill,  and  seemed  to  be  get- 
ting along  very  well.  1  asked  him  if  he  could  employ  us 
at  some  rate.  FL^  sa-d  he  had  all  the  men  he  warned,  but 
that  we  might  come  and  live  in  one  of  his  housCvS,  as  he  had 
just  bought  a  large  farm,  with  nice  buildings  and  the  gentle- 
man having  left  for  England,  he  did  not  want  rhe  buildings 
left  unoccupied,  and  we  could  stop  and  watch  the  premises, 
and  he  might  have  something  for  us  to  do.  We  are  now 
not  exactly  gentlemen,  nor  owners  of  a  gentleman's  estate, 
but  stopping  in  a  gentleman's  house  with  no  furniture,  except 
our  blankets,  tin  cups,  frying  pan  and  an  old  tin  kettle. 
There  was  a  number  of  rooms  and  a  small  bell  for  each. 
We  would  imagine  ourselves,  at  times,  gentlemen.  One 
would  step  in  to  one  of  the  rooms  and  be  servant,  while 
another  would  be  master;  and  as  the  bell  was  rung,  the  ser- 
vant would  appear  in  all  haste,  with  cap  in  hand,  saying, 
'*  what  is  your   wish  master  V*    Bring  me  a  bottle  of  th# 


rATKioT  tiiihui. 


16^ 


best  porter  !  quick  ?  **  Yes,  master!"  Away  he  would  run 
ttnd  bring  an  empty  bottle:  for  there  was  hundreds  there; 
Bomo  had  had  brandy  in,  somo  wine,  some  porter,  and  some 
champagne,  &c.  Bollto  afier  bottlo  wiiscniled  for,  by  the 
master,  who  wou'd  assume  all  the  airs  of  a  lord;  till  he  was 
no  drunk,  that  the  rest  of  us  (his  servants)  would  carry 
him  into  his  sleeping  nparimcnt,  Iny  him  on  his  bed  of  down, 
close  the  door,  nnd  nil  is  qiiiel.  Pretty  soon  one  would  go 
around  to  the  Cr  nt  door  nnd  ring  the  bell.  A  servant  would 
appear.  On  being  asked  if  the  mnster  was  in,  and  being 
told  that  the  nmn  at  the  door  wished  to  see  hitn  the  servant 
would  reply — ''  mnster  is  very  ill!'' or — ''he  has  gone 
riding  for  his  health!  you  cnnnot  see  him  to-day!  call  in  the 
morning  !"  He  would  call  in  iho  morning,  but  was  told  the 
master  was  not  up;  but  if  he  could  wait  a  few  minute?;,  ho  would 
be  up.  lie  wails  at  >ho  door  an  hour,  rings  again,  servant 
appears  and  says — "  master  is  dressing  !  you  can  soon  see 
him?  In  about  another  ho'ir  he  rings  again; — Servant — "I 
will  run  and  tell  master  and  he  will  be  in.  in  a  moment." 
Presently  the  master  appears,  having  been  drunk  for  the  last 
twenty-four  hours,  is  not  in  a  very  pleasant  humor —  *'  well, 
what  do  you  want  ?"  "  1  called  to  see,  sir,  if  you  could 
employ  me,  sir.  I  am  out  of  work,  and  have  no  means  of 
getting  a  morsel  to  eat.  Master —  "no  I  have  plenty  of  holp. 
1  don't  want  you!" — [closing  the  door].  ^  ^,^,,  '.,;.  •  '^.;, 
' .  But  I  must  not  slop  to  describe  the  gentleman  in  full;  thw 
however,  fs  a  small  sample  of  a  gentleman  of  Von  Dieman's 
Land.  Ladies  nearly  on  the  same  principal,  thou^'h  the  bet- 
ter of  the  two,  to  the  prisoner.  We  were  there  some  three 
weeks  expecting  the  master,  who  lived  a  little  over  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile  from  us,  would  let  us  have  a  job  of  some 
kind,  **Why"  says  one —  "  what  right  have  we  to  labor  ?  if 
we  are  not  real  lords,  we  are  very  near  it !  All  that  is  lack- 
ing is,  a  little  more  splendid  furniture;  horses  cariages,  &c. 
Iiwe  can  manage  to  get  them,  what  will  hinder  us  from 
being  lords  ?"  *'  Why'*  snys  one — "  we  cannot  be,  unlest 
we  have  a  great  many  servants,  and  our  cellar  replenished 
with  all  kinds  of  liquors,  and  it  must  be  of  the  best  quality.*' 
"Well!"  says  one— **  it  will  cost  nothing.  If  we  were 
otily  lucky  enough  to  have  these  things:  good  liquors,  &c. 


**  •!' 


•t 


"II 


'i't 


iM' 


r 


m 

VI- : 

I 
4. 


It 


'"} 


I.! 

id' 


i 


4i 


h>. 


I. 


". 


tTP 


NAItHATIVS  OV  4 


and  belonged  to  the  band,  nothing  could  prevent  us  (ton 
beine  gentle.non,  iT  not  lords.*'  But  we  finally  come  t<»the 
conclusion  that  we  were  nothing  but  prisoners,  and  that  it  is 
great  condescension,  on  the  part  of  the  gcntlemun  in  allow- 
ing us  to  even  stop  iii.side  the  mansion,  to  prevent  thieves 
breaking  in  to  steal.  But  it  was  lucky  for  us,  for  there  being 
nothing  but  the  house  to  steal,  we  were  not  troubled  with 
thieves.  So  you  see  after  all  our  castle  building,  we  were 
nobody  —  nothing  but  poor  prisoners,  or  slaves,  (lood 
enough  for  us!  We  had  no  business  to  inculcate  liberal 
principles,  or  in  any  manner  ever  attempt  to  defend  them 
from  the  overwhelming  power  of  tyrants  and  sycophants. 

0  f  the  enormity  of  our  crime  !  It  cannot,  it  must  not  be  for- 
given f  Can  it  be  possible  that  the  stain  ronld  ever  be  wiped 
out,  and  we  be  forgiven,  even  by  Mr.  Von  Bureni  'I'hen  add 
to  this,  the  crime  of  "black  legs,  horse  thieves,  &C."  And  wo 
never  need  expect  forgiveness  !  It  is'no  matter  whether  wo 
are  guilty  or  not,  this  big  man  hrs  said  so  and  it  must  be  so. 
it  is  getting  to  be  quite  dangerous,  even  to  speak  in  favor  of 
liberty,  much  more  to  act.  Notwithstanding,  you  see  that  I 
am  Hot  inclined  to  keep  silenco  in  the  c»«use,  but  as  far  as 
my  bodily  infirmities  will  admit,  I  am  ready  lo  act — even  if 
the  whole  world  should  oppose  me,  as  long  as  I  am  out  of 
bonds  I  shall  raise  my  voice,  though  it  be  ever  so  weak,  in 
behalf  of  those  that  are  in  bonds  and  of  their  rights  on  the 
face  of  this  fair  earth,  n.<  well  as  those  that  think  they  have 
no  rights  except  it  be  granted  them  by  the  wf»uld  be  lords 
of  the  soil,  and  of  everything  else.  O  how  thankful  I  am 
that  my  soul  is  not  in  the  hands  of  such  men — it  would  he 
bartered  away  before  night,  for  gold  for  them  to  sport  upon. 
Though  my  body  may  be  in  the  power  of  this  strong  clan 
for  daring  to  raise  my  voice  ogainst  thom, — yet  I  (oar  them 
not,  thoufl;h  [  wish  not  the  ill  will  of  any  one-  The  magis- 
trate said  he  would  write  to  lown  for  us,  but  after  my  calling 
on  him  three  or  four  times  for  an  answer — was  convince!^ 
that  he  had  not  written,  or  did  not  intend  to — he  being  satis- 
fied of  my  belief  ol  it,  says  to  me,  thinking  I  would  writa 
without  his  knowledge,  says  he  you  better  write  yourself;'* 

1  said  I  had  written  but  had  not  received  an  answer;  ^K} 
■ays  he  you  did   not  do  it  in  a  rofpectful  maniier,— S^i 


.-«i- 


PATRIOT.  BXILB. 


m 


down*'— w)i<dering  his  clerk  to  hnmt  me  some  paper,  pen  aid 
ink  v»  now/'  Miys  he,  ''you  wriie,  anJ  i  wiil  indict.  I  liad 
got  through  with  the  address  which  wns  rather  lengthy,  as 
be  told  nie — "now,"  soys  he,  **  you  must  be  very  humilia- 
ting, say  thai  you  are  very  horry  you  hud  attempted  to  got 
away,  and  that  yau  will  not  be  guilty  of  such  nn  act  again, 
and  Itope  his  honor  will  forgive  you,  &c.  As  he  commenc- 
ed this  I  rose  from  my  writing  pos  ure  uiid  looked  him  square 
in  the  face,  whilst  ho  repealed  it  over  two  or  three  times. 
"  come,"  said  he,  "write  away" — 1  was  vexed  or  what  some 
would  call  ungry,  so  much  so,  ihat  I  trembled  to  that  degree 
I  could  not  hold  my  pen.  My  reply  was:  1  shall  say  no 
such  thing,  thr\t  I  had  done  nothing  ihnt  I  was  ashamed  of. 
*0,  I  see,  I  see,"  said  he,  in  a  conteinpious  manner,  "I  see 
it  touches  your  native  pride,  you  Yankee's  are  noted  for 
such  pride,"  call  it  what  you  please  sir,  I  shall  not  write  it 
neither  shall  I  acknowledge  it  in  an\  manner. 

I  see  it  was  his  intention  to  abuse  me  in  that  gentleman- 
like mintier.  I  got  up  took  my  cap,  was  alK)ut  starting — 
says  he,  "you  do  not  intend  to  finish  the  letter  then."— - 
n  *'.  after  that  fashion  says  I,  '•well,"  said  he  in  a  provoking 
sneer  *'we  will  niter  it  n  little."  No  I  ti.ink  it  will  be  of  no 
use  to  write  or  to  ask  any  favors.  As  I  was  stepping  to  the 
door  says  he,  ♦'!  th'nk  you  men  will  mH  have  your  free  par- 
dons soon."  I  hope  sftiSftid  I,  hut  I  do  not  see  how  we  can 
have  a  i'vee  pardon»|MAMiimipeivjng  n  sentence;  and  so  we 
parted — on  nearljtr  Miiiipidd  terms  as  we  ever  had  been, 
only  1  believQ  weilwllllibtt't  eacii.oLheur's  dif«posiiions  a  little 
belter.'vr'  b-^-  i  t  la  ^^liNe  •■  ""•■'  '^'t'" 

About  this  tini^llNMIfl<^t^^  of  the  premises  said  he  had  a 
large  quint  ityli>^Ani|WlKire  to  remove,  nn<i  that  he  did  not  care 
about  sendiiigkito  tOj^n  for  any  mo  e^  servants,  and  that  if  we 
liked,  we  couM^j^iVlPt  work  tor  a  sjiillinga  day,  but  must  pay 
for  our  own  ratiffwii  •  and  furnished  by  him — which  you  see, 
in  the  end  amounts  to  about  the  same  as  servants  or  slaves, 
only  a  little  different  shade;  for  he  knew  that  the  shilling 
would  not.  purchase  of  himself,  more  poor  mutton  and  flour 
than  Wo  should  require  while  performing  the  litbor,  nor  not 
«o  much  nti  was  required  by  thn  laboring  mnn,  and  of  course 
being  a  ijcket-of-leave  maa,  which  it  as  you  know,   next 


1 


. 


«♦  • 


*:; '  i^ 


i  fill 


.V 

!■■ 


M\ 


I 


-ii' 


H 


I 


17« 


Jf  AUIATIVB  or  A 


I 


j»t  « 


>.t  t 


to  freedom;  we  had  to  furnish  our  own  clothe i,  wnnhing^  and 
niMidIng;  and  must  work  haid  iVrrm  sunrise  lo   sund  ivvn. 

I  would  ask  how  is  a  man  to  iny  up  money  townids  pay> 
ing  a  passage  home,  if  so  bo  ho  was  permitted  cvor  lo  leave 
the  Island,  if  you  can  see  how  it  ooiild  l>f»  dono,  you  can  see 
a  great  doal  fnrthei'  than  I  could  when  I  wms  ilipre  to  see.  1 
know  for  cerlnin  if  wo  had  not  b»!en  assisted  in  some  other  way 
wo  never  could  havo  left  the  island.  You  will  soon  learn 
how  wo  wore  assisted.  i'    y,  ....-^.i.-  ^»;,  i,. 

Wo  went  to  work  at  that  rate  for  Wft  could  do  no  hetter— 
wo  wore  obliged  lo  work  wiili  eight  or  ten  old  hninls  (slaves 
with  an  overseer)  to  sec?  that  the  nif^n  uoikod  hnrd  to  pay 
for  their  |>oor  mutl<)n  and  coarse  Ihiur.  The  men  are  allow- 
ed  an  hour  each  m^'il  daring  which  time  they  must  c  ;ok 
iheir  neat  and  oit  it,  but  are  often  ciliod  to  work  before 
finishing  their  meal;  and  obliged  lo  t;>ke  a  piocn  of  meat 
and  damper  in  tuoir  hands  and  ^wallow  it  on  their  way  to 
work.  Their  damp  rs  are  ofton  put  into  the  embers  at 
Jiight  and  taken  oui  m  the  morniuEf,  liecmKo  they  have  no 
other  time  to  bnko  them — wash  and  dry  their  old  striped 
shirts  as  thoy  cnn.  there  is  no  time  allowed  for  such  trifling 
things;  their  old  I. ufs  are  generally  dirty  and  alive  with  ver- 
min— their  only  bedding,  one  blanket  and  a  rug;  some 
settlers  allows  a  coarse  tick  which  they  fill  with  straw  or 
wild  grass.  The  huts  for  the  .slav^^nre  tom|)orary,  no  floor, 
but  generally  a  kind  of  (ire.pl a0(filimik9ifor  the  convenience 
of  the  settler  than  the  prisoner,^b<H^im-^<>>e  is  permitted  to 
prepare  his  scantv  mial  if  he  cnff#^,ft^ithin  the  hour  and 
.away  to  work.  The  huts  are  genewwy  situated  some  sixty 
or  one-hundred  rods  from  the  gefMlMmn^S  castle,  around 
which,  are  bull-dogs  lo  gnnrd  him  eilb#^<  iii^it4v  two  legs  or 
four,  the  .slave  is  not  permitted  to  apprrtHtfW  #0'  castle  with- 
out orders,  or  any  other  one  without  thii^iCt||fHf  being  given 
by  dogs  or  men  as  .substitute,  if  a  gentlertWrtif^or  Indy  is  seen 
approaching,  they  are  met  by  a  8er»^ant  and  conducted  safe- 
ly past  the  armv  of  dogs  to  th**  front  door:  but  if  a  prisoner; 
he  must  keep  his  distnnce,  or  be  torn  in  pieces  by  th"  dogs, 
If  the  master  should  condescend  to  step  out  and  ask  him  his 
business,  well  and  good,  if  not  h^  most  retire  af\er  waiting 
perhaps  two  hours — must  oall   again   next  dajt;  no  matter 


1*1' 


FATRtOr  KXILI. 


rm 


whether  the  poor  man  is  starving  or  not,  the  mnster  wi)I  not 
stoop  so  low  ns  to  answer  the  firutor  second  call  from  a  slovo 
though  he  moy  be  just  ready  to  sink  m  iho  enrlh  lor  thn 
want  of  a  crumb  iVoin  his  mblo,  Imt  nfli'r  repealed  cnlln,  if 
the  rich  man  should  duign  to  answer  him,  il  is  gonornliy  to 
Nay  "no  hcgone,  I  have  business  of  metro  im|ioii?iriro  limn  to 
listen  to  iho  calls  of  bege^ais." — but  "plonse  sir,  I  will  \vo*'k 
for  you  to  pay  tor  a  morsel,  1  am  siarvins;  sir." — '*(),  well  tu; 
country  is  lull  of  just  such  charncU-rs,  I  d«»n'l  w.ini  you,   Ne- 

fone;  I  have  plenty  of  help,  and  more  n<»w  than  1  require, 
must  sen  i  somo  of  theui  iti  lo  goveiTirnent." 
1  will  not  aiiompt  to  rnlalo  cverv  ihinaf  that  occurred 
whilst  here,  as  I  have  passed  over  many  lliiufr^*  heretofore 
that  sh(Hild  havG  boon  moi.tioned;  but  I  have  fi'f^^dy  exten- 
ded iho  work  beyond  what  I  intended  ri  the  cnin.nonceineni. 
yet  1  (ind  iho  subject  cannot  bo  fully  explained  uiihout  exten- 
ding the  work  far  beyond  what  1  am  at  piesenl  able  topertorm, 
for  two  or  ihrco  reasons',  ono  principal  ri?i'is()n  is  mv  health; 
another  is  ihero  may  be  some  that  h.ive  or  may  return, 
that  will  bo  bettor  abl«  to  do  the  subject  juyjtii-.e  thnn  myself. 
You  will  notice  that  since  our  seperalion  at  Hridgov,  ater,  1 
have  not  atlempitd  to  give  a  descripti>n  of  any  of  the 
sufferings  of  my  conu'ades,  except  those  that  1  were  in  con- 
nection with  from  that  lime;  bo  that  each  one  in  giving  an 
account  of  his  treatment,  s^atteiT-d  about  the  island  as  we 
were,  may  give  ditferent  accounts,  and  still  all  be  true, 
even  those  that  were  together  during  our  stay  thee,  in 
writing  a  history  would  vary,  but  amount  to  about  the  same 
thing  at  last;  be  assiuvdof  this,  that  in  attempting  a  descrip- 
tion of  our  treatment  and  suflTerings  how.>ver  varied  in  ex- 
pression, it  cannot  be  exaggerated.,  1  must  bo  excused  Hir 
my  brevity  thus  far,  lor  whilst  I  am  penning  these  few  re- 
marks;  the  pain  in  my  side  and  breast  is  so  fcvii-e,  that  I 
can  write  but  two  or  three  lines  before  I  have  to  get  up  walk 
about  or  lay  down  a  short  time,  rise  and  write  a  few  lines  and 
so  on;  which  has  been  one  reason  why  this  or  a  similar  work 
has  not  appeared  before,  even  this  as  oriel*  as  it  is;  would  not 
have  appeared  to  public  view  so  imperfect,  if  I  had  not  been 
Htrongly  urg-xl  by  some  of  ray  friends  to  say  something  upon 
the  subject,  therefore,  under  tho  many  disadvantages  that  1 


■!••■    '■ 


i 

i 


n 


r 


Mil! 

•f       •:. 


I  i 


■ 


I 


•i 


*v 


t!4 


MAKRATIVB  Of  A 


have  to  labor,  please  to  excuse  my  imperfeetioiMaJid  brevitsr. 
The  spirit  in  wiiling,  but  the  flesh  is  weak  through 
tiufferings, 

After  being  there  about  seven  months,  by  close  mnnage- 
tnent  we  mnde  «<ui  to  live;  but  ns   much  as   ever.     One  day 
meeting  th«'   police  constable,  8ai<l  he—  *^  there  is  some  of 
you  Canadians,  in  the  morning's  Gnzelto,  for  a  free  pardon.*' 
I  went  at  once  to  the  office,  which  wns  distant  one  half  of  a 
mile,  asked  him  if  I  could  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  seeing 
the  Govermrient  Gazette,  he  handed  it  to  me  in  which  1  found 
the  names  of  twenty-three  of  our  number  (myself  incsitided) 
with  the  intelligence,  that  by  calling  at   the  police  office  in 
Hobart  Town,  wo  could  obtain  our  pardons,      i  went  ntonce 
and  informed  my  com|)anions  of  my  discovery.  Now  wears 
glad  and  at  the  same  time  sorrv;  for   there    wus  one  of  our 
company  who  was  not  included.     Orlen  Biodget,  we  should 
have  to  leave  behind,  which  grieved  us    much;  for  he  wa3  a 
young  man  and  much  esteemed  by  us  all.      Wj*  finnlly  con- 
cluded as  they  had  previoU'»ly  liberated  four,  thai  it  was  their 
intention  to  not  liberate  all  at  a  time,  thinking  it  would  cre- 
ate too  much  excitement,  should  they  all  land  in  America  at 
once;  theref«>re  thought  it  best  to  liberate  us  in  small  parlies 
for  thev  have  nlwavs  beon  afraid  of  ns;  for    if  ihcv  had  not 
been  cowards,  they  nfner  would  have  transported  us  and  we 
have  h.-ifltho  pleasure  of  saying  so^more  ihan  onco.  Tiking  all 
things  into  consideration,  he  as  well  as  ourselves  ^ll0^l^ht  we 
had  better  leave  the  island    as   soon  as  possible,  to  give  the 
rest  a  chance  of  receiving   their    pardons,  for  they  weio  all 
as  well  deservitjg  of  it  as  we;  our    being   amongst    the  first 
appeared  a  m^re  chance.     Now  as   bnd  as  my  situation  was 
I  would  willjnsrly  hav;-:  waited    till  they    were  all    free,  if  it 
would  have  done  any  good,  but   it  was    thought    best    by  all 
wliom  we  coulH  hear  from,  to    leave    as  sion  as  possible,  as 
the  rest  would  not  be  liberated  until  we  left.      We  accordingly 
set  ou».  for  Itmn  in  less  than  twenty-four  hours  from  the  time 
I  left  the  police  oflice  whern  we  received  such  joyful   intelli- 
gence.    But  it  seemed    like  parting  with  a  dear  fiiend;  one 
who  had  been  with  us  through  sore  afflictions;  and  it  seemed 
atill  harder,  if  prissible,  for  him,  ns   hf«  would  be  lift  alone. 
We  had  talked  muah  ai.d  reasoned  together  in  perilous  times 


-.'  wtis- 


rATRIOT   IXIIA 


17ft 


for  years  passed,  but  now  behold  us  shaking  the  parting  hand 
mnd  ready  to  leave  our  tried  friend,  in  that  miserable  fiaee, 
not  knowing  whoihcr  we  should  ever  meet  agnin.  I  believe 
you  can  have  littlu  if  any  idea  of  our  feelings,  unless  it  hat 
been  your  lot  lo  pass  through  the  same  or  similar  trials,  that 
we  have  been  calli  d  m  pass  ihrougli.  But  when  wp  turned 
to  leave  him,  it  seemed  to  mo  as  though  1  would  have  been 
willing  to  have  had  the  earth  open  and  swall«»w  us  up  forever. 
Neither  of  us  could  spenk  for,  1  sl.ould  judge  a  half  of  an 
hour  after  leaving  Mr.  Blodget.  lie  sure  I  can  testify  to 
the  fnct  of  ils  being  i:nrd  to  part  with  a  Iriend  in  adversity. 
The  refkson  may  be,  hecause  they  are  not  as  plenty  as  in 
prosperity.  O  !  should  wo  not  admire  a  friend  who  will  not 
forsake  us  in  trouble  ?  1  u^ed  to  think  I  had  many  friends 
before  this  sore  calamity  befell  me,  but  when  they  were  most 
needed  there  was  but  very  i'ew  who  were  willing  lo  acknowl- 
edge by  their  acts,  that  they  ever  knew  mo.  Others  said — 
*'good  enough  for  them  !  They  ought  to  have  known  better 
England  may  do  as  she  likes  with  them!  They  never  need 
expect  any  favors  from  us,  for  it  would  ofTend  England  and 
that  would  never  do;  for  she  is  wealthy  and  powerful,  nnd  of 
course  she  has  a  right  to  he  tyrannical.  It  is  b  Iter  to 
give  in  a  little — even  let  them  come  on  our  shore  and 
burn  a  steamboat  now  and  iheii —  no  matter  if  our  subjects 
are  sleeping  in  it;  it  is  better  to  have  them  dragged  out  nnd 
murdered  than  to  oflend  them  by  resoniing  ii.  It  is  better 
to  let  them  hang  as  many  as  iliey  please  and  lran<j)ort  as 
many  as  they  plr aso.  In  fact  it  is  belter  to  let  them  do  aB 
ihey  please  with  our  subjects  or  property  laflier  than  say 
aught  ogainsl  it;  for  it  might  m  'kn  them  mnd,  and  then  you 
know  we  should  not  fare  so  well."  [5ul  after  all,  1  believe 
tho  majority  ol'  the  people  of  our  union  arc  too  well  acquainted 
with  their  meanness,  and  willingness  to  enslave,  to  allow  the 
tyrants  any  more  privileges  upon  our  shores  than  they  have 
already.  Never  allow  them  a  fooling,  or  our  country  is 
ruined  I  (VVhalevrr  appears  exiraordinary,  if  it  be  success- 
tul,  is  called  great;  nnd  what  is  truly  great,  if  unsuccessful, 
is  thought  foolish.) 

We  are  now  in  Hobart  Town  and  at  the  office   receivinjjj 
QUI  p^chments  or  pardon.     As   I   receive  min^  I  askf  the 


!»• 


•  1^ 


i 


mi 


I  .  «' 


'     ! 


m 


f.   I  i 


.j:-- 


I 


17« 


?lAliRin'lVB  OP  A 


I' 


H  |i  I 


I  '       ■ 


!      . 


clerk  if  it  is  customnry  to  give  a  prisoner  a  fiordon  borore  or 
after  receiving  n  sentence;  says  he — "how  is  it  ddn^'in 
America  ?"  Weli,  snys  I,  I  never  was  a  prisoner  there,  so 
I  could  not  sny  for  certain,  but  I  always  suppos(  d  that  a  man 
must  be  sentenced  before  he  can  receive  a  pnrrion;  if  not, 
how  is  he  to  know  whnt  the  pnrdnn  is  for  ?  O  !  says  he — 
^*  I  think  you  know  whnt  your  pnrdon  is  for;  if  you  don't; 
the  government  doe-,  nnd  thnt  is  ennui^h."  I  Fipposc  it  is, 
says  I;  ns  lon^  ns  it  is  out  of  the  prisoner's  pmver  to  help 
himself.  *'  Well  !"  s.'»ys  he — "  it  appears  to  b<.'  a  curious 
alfnir,  riltogeiher,  but  so  ii  is,  and  I  suppose  you  cm't  help 
yourselves.  I  hive  no  time  now  to  talk  ujjon  the  subject." 
Just  nt  that,  limo  the  (thief  clerk  came  in.  Says  I  — would 
you  be  kind  enough  to  inform  me  if  anv  more  pardons  have 
arrived  from  En-^land,  besides  th*^  twenty-seven  which  were 
jrnzeited  on  mondav  Inst  ?  Snvs  he —  ''  vou  have  received 
yours,  have  ynii  not  ?  Says  I — I  have,  but  am  anxious  to 
know  if  there  arc  anv  more  for  mv  conirndes,  who  have 
with  me,  been  illegally  confined!  1  expected  to  get  no  sat- 
isfaction by  \\'\v  i  1  cotild  disc-over.  ""  None  of  your  busi- 
ness !"  sail  I  he.  I  supposed  not !  said  I.  It  see:i  s,  it  never 
has  been  any  of  our  business.  1  suijposr^.  they  have  thought 
by  detaining  us  seven  v<'ars,  their  rascality  would  be  out- 
lawed; but  he  assured  the  t"me  will  come  when  England  will 
pny  dearlv  for  her  rascality  towards  u?. 

T  left  the  office;  not  that  I  was  nctunlly  afraid;  but  knowing 
by  the  manner  they  had  dealt  with  us,  that  they  could  take 
the  pardon  from  me  and  prefer  anv  charge  against  me  they 
pleased;  and  1  not  help  myself  One  of  the  clerks  spoke  as 
I  went  out.  Said  he —  *•  I  suppose  you  intend  to' go  to  Amer- 
ica as  soon  ns  possible."  T  do  !  said  1.  "  Hut  how  are  you 
^oing  to  get  there  ?"  sa-'s  he  You  wait  :MI  an  .^merican 
Whaler  comes  in,  and  yon  will  so  we  cin  leave  this  place. 
even  if  we  are  destitute  of  mens.  Thos(^  who  were  free, 
were  rollocted  within  a  week  of  our  arrival,  and  wo 
determined  to  stay  in  Hoba-t  Town  until  an  Americin  ves- 
flel  of  Miime  description  should  arrive.  Accordingly  we  rent- 
ed  a  hous^^  and  kept  bachelor?'  hall.  Some  hav  ng^  been  more 
lucky  than  others  Irnd  a  little  money,  but  fiw  however  were 
Ibrturiate    enough  to  Wve   any.       Scarcely   any  hbwtver 


m 


Lin..    ■_*•*.   — ," 


FATRIOT  .&XlUi* 


m 


had  experienced  quite  us  tough  times  as  we,  who  had  been 
unlucky  enough  lo  he  sent  to  that  district  from  Swanport,  for 
alteiiipiiijg  lo  escnpe.  But  it  wns  hard  at  the  bt'st.  Those 
who  could  get  a  job  of  any  kind,  would  engnge  it,  and  as 
many  as  was  thought  proper  would  work  at  il»  Hut  it  was 
out  of  the  question  to  Iriy  up  a  I'arthing,  or  scnrcely  to  get 
enougii  lo  eut  whilst  we  remained  ihero.  But  wjj  wero  used 
to  low  diet..  Of  the  numt)cr  who  met  us  lliorf,  were  some 
whom  we  lind  not  seen  since  our  srpnration  at  Bridge-water. 
We  here  asccrlairied  iho  exact  number  of  deaths  in  our  party 
and  neiiily  all  c.imeio  their  deal)  iVoui  ill  treatment.  John 
Simmons,  Lyf^iaiider  Curtis,  Thomas  fc^tock ton,  Alson  Owen, 
J.  P.  Willijuns  or  J;imes  Ivvkard.  Andrew  Leeper,  VVillinm 
Noltago,  Foxier  Martin,  Asa  I'ricsf,  Alcxiindcr  ivlc.  Leod, 
Ciiirrei  Vancajup,  and  J.  J.  Mc.  Niiky. 

1  will  now  it;ave  llie  subject  of  our  treatment  and  sufFer- 
ingf^,  not  bccnuse  1  have  told  you  all,  far  from  it — but  it  is 
in  Older  to  give-  you  a  short  descrip.tion  of  the  Island.  I 
shall  bi;  brief,  for  I  consider  it  not  of  sullicient  consequence 
lo  dwell  at  any  length  of  time  upon.  1  beli-ve  the  Island 
was  discovered  by  a  Dutch  navigator  in  1041  an!  was 
named  Van  Dioman's  Land,  in  honor  of  Anthony  Van 
Dieman,  Governor  of  Dutch  East  India,  it  was  taken 
possession  of  in  1804  by  the    Knglish    as  a   penal   colony. 

The  natives  iound  there  at  lliis  timo  were  in  a  state  of 
nakedness  and  having  no  form  of  government.  They  are 
of  shoit  statu 'e,  large  woolly  heads,  large  flat  nose  resem- 
bling the  Africn,  high  cheek  bones,  similar  to  the  Ameri- 
can Indians,  broad  face,  dark  complexion,  bit  not  as  dark  as 
the  African.  There  is  but  few  remaining  of  the  five  or  six 
thousand  that  at  one  lime  v.  at' supposed  to  be  on  the  Island; 
what  the  Knglish  failed  in  murdering  bfifore  Sir  George 
Arthur  was  sent  there  as  governor,  by  his  orders  were  hun- 
ted like  wild  beasts  and  destroyed  by  hundreds,  until  they 
were  all  killed  except  about  one  himdred  that  was  confined  on 
a  small  island  contiguous  to  Van  Dieman's,  but  before  I  left 
I  understood  they  had  dwindled  away  to  iwer.ty-five  or 
thirty;  very  soon  there  will  be  none  left  lo  tell  the  snd  story 
of  their  defenceless  race  being  murdered  without  mer'^y, 
beca^iso  the  English  wanted  their  little  island  for  a  pn;^a  to 


I 


>■ 


.« 


■'•I;:  1 


!■■;!! 


•J. 

t',  .1, 


i- 


;|'fllll 


!!., 


II; 


M 


ili'/iii 


178 


NAftEATIYR  OF  A 


(fi 


,■,-1    v^ 


i:  1 


enslave  their  poor  white  neighbors.  The  poor  New  Zea- 
landers  will  soon  shaie  a  similar  fate.  There  was  a  few 
familitisof  English  made  tools  of  by  tVe'jl'in  to  go  there  as 
missidnaries,  it  turned  out  just  as  was  cxpccied,  they  were  all 
killed  by  the  natives  which  of  course  gives  tiie  clan  a  chance 
to  rotaliato  by  sending  nn  army  to  kill  thern  oM';  then  of 
course,  New  Zealand  wi!i  belong  to  England — this  is  their 
manner  ol' gaining  possessions. 

The  islnnd  has  never  been  surveyed,  but  is  variously  esti- 
mated id  from  twenty-iwo  to  twenty-six  thousand  square 
miles,  its  situation  is  in  lat.  4H  degrees  south.  Ion.  144 
deg.  40norlh  and  14S  deg.,  20  east;  is  estimated  to  be  147 
miles  in  width  and  210  in  length,  lying  south  of  New  Hol- 
land from  which  it  is  seporalid  by  Bass  Straits.  The  free 
population  numbers  about  30,000;  the  emancipists  20,000; 
and  convicts  under  sentence,  36,000  of  whom  9,000  are 
females,  njnking  in  all  about  86,000. 

The  prini-ipal  animal  is  the  Kangaroo,  there  are  two  or 
three  kinds,  the  smaller  kind  are  about  two  or  three  feet  high 
when  standing  erect:  the  largest  kind  are  from  five  to  six 
feet  when  they  run  or  rnther  bound,  for  ihoy  move  in  an 
erect  )|)osiure.  using  their  fore  legs  only  as  they  stop  to  feed; 
they  have  hpen  known  lo  take  up  a  dog:  that  was  in  pursuit 
of  them  and  bound  off  to  the  nearest  water,  and  hold  him  un- 
der until  drowned.  As  they  have  been  exhibited  in  caravans 
throughout  America,  I  nec.i  not  bo  particular  ii  discribing 
them,  they  two  numerous  .ind  very  harnaless,  a  common  dog 
will  run  one  down  in  a  short  time,  when  thev  are  as  easily 
killed  as  a  doer.  Opposum,  Badger,  Rabbits,  and  a  four 
legged  animal  they  call  devii,  (though  not  near  as  numerous 
as  tlie  two-legged  ones)  they  nre  black  and  about  the  size  of 
a  largo  cat — uiore  is  a  species  of  wolf  or  wild  dog,  though 
not  numerous.  All  the  animals  are  harmless  except  the  two 
legged  ones  called  gentlemen,  they  very  much  resemble  the 
snakes  oti  the  island;  there  is  a  number  of  species,  but  all 
producing  almost  instant  dtath  by  biting;  even  the  smallest 
kind  which  resemble  our  little  striped  snake,  are  venomous; 
the  largest  that  I  have  seen  was  of  a  dark  color,  four  or  five 
f§#t  in  length. 
•    One  day   travelling  along  the   main  road  I  discover- 


FATRIOr  SXIi.!. 


Itt 


ed  in  a  Aeld  at  a  short  distance  three  men  standing  by  s 
cow  that  lay  as  I  supposed  dead;  she  hnd  buen  attacked  by 
one  of  those  large  snakes  and  bit  in  the  neck,  as  she  was 
laying  down;  it  was  seen  in  the  morning  near  where  she  was 
laying,  the  man  ha:5tened  to  the  house  I'xr  a  gun,  but  before 
he  could  reiurn,  it  had  bit  the  cow,  but  on  looking  carl'ully 
around,  discovered  it  coiled  not  far  oil*,  he  approached  within 
about  twenty  feet  and  shot  it.  I  saw  the  snake — 1  should 
judge  it  was  six  feet  in  length  and  looked  very  much  like  the 
black  snnke  of  America.  J  he  cow  was  noi  quite  dend,  but 
swollen  to  that  degree  she  cou  d  not  see;  this  was  nbout  two 
hours  from  the  lime  she  was  bit.  She  seemed  m  great  agony 
just  as  1  left,  a  man  hfid  received  orders  to  ioad  the  gun  and 
shoot  her.  Just  before  we  left  Green  Ponds  for  Hobart 
Town,  there  wos  a  boy  hunting  rabbits,  ho  thought  he  dis- 
covered one  at  some  distance,  run  into  a  hollow  log,  he  came 
up  and  run  his  arm  in  for  the  rabbit  as  he  supposed,  but  was 
bit  by  a  snake,  he  lived  nearly  two  days — the  snake  was 
found  to  be  a  little  striped  one  abi«ut  a  foot  in  length. 

The  feathered  tribe  are  somewhat  numei*ous,  but  amongst 
them  all,  1  have  never  seen  any  ihat  resemble  ours,  except 
the  crow;  the  eagles  are  somewhat  numerous,  and  above  all 
the  birds  ihey  are  the  most  haled  and  hunted  bv  the  ly rants 
in  Her  Mnjesly's  dominions,  especially  m  Van  Dieman's 
Land;  the  parrots  are  very  numei-ous  and  of  six  or  eight 
different  species,  there  is  a  bird  called  the  jackass,  it  is  the 
best  singing  bird  in  the  colony,  it  is  of  a  brown  color  and 
about  the  size  of  our  robin;  Iho  mngpie  is  numerous  and 
noisy,  but  not  very  melodious,  they  are  blnck  nnd  white,  and 
about  the  size  ot  a  dove  (or  tatnc  pigem);  ihore  is  a  brown 
bird  about  the  size  of  a  pigeon  called  iho  waitie  bird,  which 
is  much  esteemed  nnion^st  the  gents.;  likewise  the  quail 
which  resembles  ours  but  not  quite  as  large;  also  a  few  black 
swan,  some  ducks,  &ic.;  the  cockatoo  is  the  most  troublesomo 
bird  they  have,  there  is  the  white  and  the  black;  they  are 
about  the  size  of  the  crow,  they  go  in  large  flocks  from  field 
to  field,  and  make  great  ha  oc  aii.ongst  the  grain. 

The  timber  is  ail  evergreen,  but  none  that  is  as  thrifty  as 
in  America,  and  altogether  of  a  different  kind:  the  names 
they  bare  are  wattle,  throe  kinds,    black,  white  and  silver; 


'4'1 


■^ 


':  rnfi 


1 ; , , 


■'A 


'1 


!^ 

!■" 

■s| 

M 

sj 

U,v 

i  ''  ' 

•  ■- 

I  . 

1     • 
I 

^4 

'■■■i 


I  ' 

I  f 


l#p. 


NAERATIVSOPA: 


VI 


black,  white  and  >|9llow  gum;  a  tree  called  oak,  but  nodiing^ 
like  ours;  cnerry,  stringy  bark,  pepperininl  niid  hoaey*8uckl» 
comprises  all  ol'  any  atuoun  ,  nearly  all  the  timber  is  very 
heavy,  and  when  thiuwn  in  the  water  sinks  directly  ,  it 
never  slieds  the  leaf,  but  ihe  bark  instead.  This  with  other 
green  herbs,  togeilter  with  a  mild  healthy  climalr,  presents  a 
btautilul  a>pec.i,  e>s^jecially  tu  those  thai  have  not  been  in  a 
country  where  t  ees  and  shruhery  reuiiii  their  gn  en  loaves 
winter  and  sumnitir,  but  ai'ier  remaining  there  a  snort  time, 
you  will  discover  ihat  the  so  1  and  clinmle  is  noihing  near 
as  good  lo  ensure  ci'opsas  it  is  in  America. 

Tlie  Itico  01*  the  cuuuiry  is  ro  gh,  and  not  one-half  of  the 
Island   can    he  considered    arnblo    land,  and    inig.uion  is 
necessary  lo  induce  a  g(j(,dsli.iro  of  this  to  yield  a  middling 
crop.      'i'hoLigh    it  may  heconsiderid   a  mild  cliinalo,  the 
niglils  throughout  tho  year,  arc  chilly,    with  fretjuenl  frosts, 
it  is  not  UMConiinon  lo  see  largo  fields  of  promising  wheat 
headed  oul  j  nd  in  ihemilk,  lotall>  destroyed  by   I'rosi  in  one 
night.     The  country  is  likewise  subject  todrougih  and  mill- 
dew.    1  have  seerk  the  iVost  so  heavy  in  narve.st  iimt',  that  you 
vvoiild  bo  ob.igcd  to   wait  in  the  morning  until  the  sun  was 
three  ht»urs  iiigh,  when  iho  frost  vvoitid  disap|)car,  so  ihal  you 
could  hi.ndle  it  without  sud'ering  with  cold   lingers;  lids  may 
seem  incrc'dihle — bui  it  is  often  ihe  case.     On  this   account, 
Indian  corn  will  not  grow  at  all.     Oais   and  barley  are   the 
only  sure  CI  op,  and  ihoy    often  fail — Potatoes    likewise,  are 
apt  to  be  destroyed  by  frost  or  drought,  when  the  scoson  is 
favorable,  ihe  ciops  are  good,  but  you  ore  not  sure — for  when 
you  think  the   prospect  is   fair,  in  twenty-iour  hours  lime, 
you  may  beliold  your  crops  wilting  in  mid-day,  from  a  previ- 
ous Viight's  frosi;  iherelbre  on  account  of  ihe  uncertainty  of 
crops,  liie  gmtleman's  vast   estate   is  principally  converted 
to  sheej)  grazing;   it   is  common  for  a  seller  to  have  on  his 
estate  filteen  or  twenty-thousand  head  of  sheep,  and  perhaps 
a  thousand  head  of  cattle,  there  are  likewise  some  very  good 
horses,  but  even  for  grazmg,  it  cannot  be  considered  good  on 
account  of  drougtb. 

My  opini  n  is,  it  is  no  place  for  an  American  to  think  of 
living,  except  he  is  rich  and  a  tyrant  and  willing  (o  h.  ve  all  his 
work  dpne  by  white  slaves;  for  it  is  a  disgrace  for  a  gentleman' 


iV' 


PATRIOT   EXILK. 


181 


or  lady  to  work  or  scarcely  to  speak  to  the  slaves  who  are  doing 
it  all  for  them;  except  there  is  a  complaint  to  the  master  by  the 
overseer,  that  the  slave  does  not  work  hard  enough.  In  that 
case  the  master  is  very  angry,  talks  to  him,  and  for  a  very  tri- 
tling  otTenco  will  abuse  him  in  the  most  shameful  manner, 
and  generally  ends  by  the  poor  man  receiving  fifty  lashes  on 
the  bare  back,  put  to  work,  driven  and  abusod  in  every  pos- 
sible manner  by  the  overseer.  But  it  is  of  no  use  to  com- 
plain of  the  overseer  to  the  iiiast'jr;  for  his  acts  are  all  sanc- 
tioned, especially  if  he  causes  the  work  to  be  done  and  well 
done.  So  if  you  are  rich  and  inclined  to  be  tyrannical,  and 
ioin  in  with  the  tvrnnls,  you  may  do  well  to  live  there;  oth- 
erwise  you  had  belter  slay  away.  'Jliere  is  another  thing 
which  might  induce  you  to  go  there.  All  the  lower  class 
are  obliged  lo  touch  their  liats  to  you  when  they  pass  you. 
This  is  a  great  satisfaction  to  a  nobleman.  So  if  this  would 
be  any  inducement  to  you,  you  had  better  go;  tor  you  know 
it  has  not  come  to  that  yet,  in  this  country.  Although  you 
may  be  rich,  you  are  considered  nothing  but  a  man.  So  if 
you  want  such  great  honors  paid  you,  you  must  go  where 
they  are  compelled  to  reverence  you  on  account  of  your 
wealth.  For  my  part,  I  have  no  inclination  lo  go  back  there; 
neither  do  I  think  that  l^ingland  has  a  right  to  send  me,  or 
any  other  American  citizen,  tried  by  a  colonial  act;  to  Van 
Dieman's  Land,  for  seven  years,  against  his  will,  and  there 
subject  him  to  slavery.  Still  they  may  have  tlie  right;  espe- 
cially when  we  consider  the  enormity  of  the  crime  for  which 
we  were  sent;  because,  if  our  government  had  demanded  us, 
they  have  no  penal  colony  to  send  us  to;  therefore  we  could 
not  have  been  punished  in  a  manner  sufficient  to  atone  for 
the  enormous  crime  of  which  we  were  supposed  to  boguilly. 
(Some  nt  least  had  no  testimony  sufficient  to  condemn  them 
in  any  court  of  justice;)  but  no  matter;  if  you  were  supposed 
guilty  of  such  a  heinous  crime,  it  was  sufficieut. 

Edward  M'Dowell  Esq  ,  was  attorney  general  of  Van  Die- 
man's  Land  when  we  arrived  there,  but  had  sinccf  given 
offence  to  old  granny  Franklin,  who  had  him  dismissed  from 
the  office.  He  was  in  conversation  with  one  of  our  party, 
Mr.  L.  W.  Miller,  said  he,  "I  have  seen  all  the  papers  which 
accompanied  vour  party  from  England  and  Canada;  ihorc 
15 


-1  i. 


W. 


.  •  V 


■1 W 


111 

i  ■     ? 


NARRATIVE  Of  A 


was  not  the  scratch  of  a  pen  to  authorize  the  governor  to 
receive  you  upon  this  island,  much  less  to  treat  you  as  con- 
victs; you  had  a  right  according  to  the  laws  of  tills  island, 
to  land  ad  free  men,  and  to  leave  the  same  dav,  if  vou  chose 
to  do  so.  Every  person  who  has  held  you  in  custody  is  lia- 
hleto  an  action  for  false  imprisonment."     .^^  \/!;n  'n,^«j 

Likewise  Mr.  Murray  editor  of  a  reform  paper  in  Ho- 
hartTown,  censured  the  government  very  hard  ibr  their 
treatment  towards  us,  he  spoke  very  plain,  but  none  too  plain, 
he  said,  **ii  had  oug/U  to  bo,  and -was  an  everlasting  disgrace- 
to  the  British  government,  dealing  in  tho  unlawful  and  inhu- 
man manner  with  us,  that  iliey  had,  and  icere  dealing. 
Home  three  or  lour  others  liiere,  ns  well  as  many  in  England, 
have  ventured  to  declare,  and  at  the  risk  of  great  sacrifice, 
that  the  Canadian  Patriots  were  sliamefully  abused  and 
that  we  ought  not  to  be  treated  in  the  manner  we  were.  1  wish 
we  had  a  president  tliat  would  not  only  think,  but  act  in  de- 
fence of  our  citizens  that  have  been  dragged  to  a  ])ennl  colo- 
ny, unlawfully  tried,  abandoned  to  slavery,  and  treated  worse 
limn  felons  of  the  wor.st  kind:  do  \ou  think  England  would 
allow  her  subjects  to  be  treated  by  any  other  nation  as  she  has 
treated  subjects  of  those  United  States '?  my  opinion  is,  she 
would  not.  But  lam  aware  of  the  opposition  these  few  re- 
marks will  meet  with,  he  it  ns  it  may,  I  am  firm  in  the 
belief,  that  con^ideriijg  tiie  circumstances  of  our  being  taken 
prisoners,  together  with  illegal  trials;  it  would  have  been  jusi 
and  right  for  our  governnr^iU  to  have  demanded  us  of  the 
British  Government,  that  we  might  be  tried  and  punisheri 
for  breaking  our  laws,  for  there  was  none  in  Canada,  at  tha* 
time  to  break,  if  there  was,  why  was  we  not  tried  by  them,  in- 
stead of  by  a  colonial  act  that  did  not  receive  the  sanction  oi" 
home  government  ? 

ButOthe  crime,  the  crime;  whe»i  we  consid';r  it,  no  pun- 
ishment that  could  be  inflicted,  is  too  severe,  whether  inflict- 
ed according  to  law  and  justice  or  not,  it  makes  no  differenc;; 
tyrants,  do  as  you  like,  your  acts  are  all  sanctioned — but  bv 
none,  however,  but  those  of  your  own  stamp — as  long  as  you 
have  the  power,  you  may  continue  to  practice  deeds  of  the 
blackest  die;  but  the  groans  and  prayers  of  the  oppressed  will 
be  heard;  then  weep  and  howl  for  the  calamities  that  will 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


188 


befall  you,  can  you  expect  mercy  will  be  shown  you,  when 
the  sceptre  shall  be  wrested  from  you,  and  that  power  which 
was  bestowed  for  a  blessing,  that  you  havo  to  liberally  con- 
verted into  acts  of  opj)ression,  and  that  has  caused  so  many 
thousands  to  turn  from  your  door,  with  the  refusal  of  a  crust 
of  bread  to  keep  them  from  starving,  and  when  death  througii 
your  oppression  hus  overtaken  thorn — havo  been  denied  a  dea- 
cent  buri.'d,  but  their  dead  bodies  made  merchandise  of,  as 
unwilling  to  give  llicm  up,  as  long  as  tlioy  can  in  any  way 
be  used  to  furnisli  the  uionns  oi'  riotous  living,  yot  you 
hold  no  slaves,  tell  it  not  to  me,  fori  know  bettor,  llinre  is  no 
act  loo  mean  or  arbitrary  for  you  to  adopt — to  enslave  the 
common  people  as  you  call  them,  au<l  to  oljtain  money  and 
moans  to  continue  the  oppression.  1  know  I  shall  be  blamed 
by  you,  for  tiiis  [)lainness  of  speech,  but  I  declare  to  you  and 
the  wiiolc  world  it  is  truth,  therefore,  I  fear  you  not — 1  am 
iiol  the  only  one  that  has  bf  en  persecuted  even  to  death  for 
daring  to  speak  against  your  acls.  If  after  you  have  hnd 
tiio  power  to  destroy  the  bodies  of  whom  you  plea>ed, 
l)Ut  (would  like  also  power  to  destroy  the  souls)  tiianks  to 
omni[)0tenco,  the  soul  is  not  at  your  disposnl,  whatever 
thft  varied  garbs  you  assume  —  think  not  to  deceive 
the  AUnigiity,  as  you  are  e»i(ieavoring  to  deceive  and  op- 
press your  poor  neighbors,  I  e  sure  your  sinswill  find  you  out; 
the  people  are  already  sensible  of  many  of  your  deep  laid 
schemes  to  enslave  them;  would  to  C-iod  tiint  those  that  are 
convinced  of  them,  would  not  bo  backward  in  manifesting 
it  to  the  world.  Then  you  would  not  dare  lo  bo  so  bold  in 
deeds  of  blood!  May  the  time  soon  como  when  the  people 
will  not  bo  ashamed  or  afraid  to  assert  their  rigiits;  and  ly- 
rant.s  quail  beneath  the  power  of  justice  and  truth. 

Adieu  to  the  land  whoro  wo  havesulfcred  so  much  unlaw- 
ful, unjust  and  uncalled  for  abuse  at  the  hands  of  crouching 
menials  to  despotism,  may  they  soon  learn  to  treat  ft-llow  men 
with  more  lenity,  or  speedily  be  dispossessed  of  power  that 
so  many  millions  havo  been  crushed  under,   (so  mote  it  bo.) 

To  all  that  had  a  desire  lo  treat  us  with  any  degree  ot' 
humanity,  ond  would  have  alleviated  our  horrible  sufferings 
but  have  not  had  it  in  your  power  to  do  so, — likewise  those  of 
vou  that  are  liberalh''   disposed,  may  such  principles  grow 


,j  ::l 

.•'  i 

i|' 


■■\ 


■  It ' 


.1!  ■  It 


ir'i 


Hl4 


ii 


i 


I 

'  !• 


\  I. 


^1: 


;  U-i 


184 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


and  increase  amongst  you  until  you  shnll  bo  possessed  with 
feelings  and  sliamo  sulficient  to  cause  you  to  cry  out  with  bitter 
invectives  against  the  baro-taced  and  liigh  handed  ouichery 
of  the  poor  unfortunate  men  and  women  liiat  are  daily  sutibr- 
ing  an  ignominious  death  as  felons  in  Van  Uicinan's  Land, 
as  well  as  others  of  Her  Majesty's  dominions,  and  in  your 
endeavors  to  subvert  the  evils,  and  substitute  liberal  acts  in- 
stead, may  your  days  be  many,  blessed  and  happy,  which  is 
the  prayer  of  your  much  alllicted  friend. 


CIIAPTKR  IX. 


I . 


Farewell  to    Van  DiemaiVs   LmifJ. — Voyage  to  America 
•   .  ',"»  '    •  via.  Sandnyich  Islands. 

It  is  now  the  27th  of  January,  181."),  and  John  Cronk  llite, 
LeonarH    Delano,     Luther    Darby,     Elon    Fellows,  Nelson 
Griggs,    Jeremiah  Griggs,  Gideon  Goodrich,  John   Gillman. 
David  House,  Daniel  D.  llustes,  Ira  Polly.  Oren    VV.  Smith, 
Samuel  Snow,  John  G.  Swanburg,  Elizur   Stevens,  Alvin  B. 
Sweet,  Chauncey  Sheldon,  Joseph  Thompson,  John  Thomas, 
Bemas  Woodbury,  John  Grant,  James  D.Fero,  Henry  V.  Bar- 
num,   and   myself   after  waiting,  nnd  anxiously  looking  fc 
an  Anic^rican  vessel,  for  two  months  from  the  tinjo  of  receiving 
our  pardons,  found  at  last  the  Amerit;an  Whale  Ship,  Stciglilz. 
of  Sag  Hfirbor;  Sclah  Young,  Masler,  put  in,  for  repairs:  niui 
by  the  intercession  of  Mr.  Hailiawav,  Anierican  Consul.  w< 
went  on  board.      When  the  ca|)tain  was  ap()rised  of  our  .situa- 
tion, says  he —  "  I  must  and  will    take   them  from  this  horri- 
ble place  !"     But  as  ho  was  outward  bound,  knew  of  no  other 
way  but    to    take   us  to    the  Sandwif^h  Islands;  which  would 
leave  us  farther  from    home  than    when  we  started.     At  all 
events,  wo  were  willing  to  leave  that  place,  and  run  the  risk 
of  finding  a  better  one.     Adieu  to  the  little  iron  bound  miser- 
able island;  governed  by  iron  hearted,  miserable,  crouching 


n:; 


PATRIOT  RXILE. 


186 


jossed  with 
it  with  bitter 
»{i  buichery 
daily  Hutibr- 
lan's  Land, 
nd  in  voui 
iral  acts  in- 
V,  which    is 


to  A  mcrica 

Cronk  llito. 
ows,  Nelson 
hn   Gillman. 
VV.  Smith, 
s,  Alvin  B. 
in  Thomas, 
nry  V.  Bar- 
looking  to. 
ofroceivinfi 
p,  Stcip:lilz. 

repairs:  am! 
Consul.   \v« 

of  our  silua- 

m  thia  iiorri- 
ot  no  other 

which  would 
ted.  At  all 
run  the  risk 
K)und  miser- 
?,  crouching 


menials  of  Queen  Victoria.  Twonty-five  of  us  nro  now  leav- 
ing your  shores;  but  not  with  it  slwiking  tho  dust  from  our 
foet,  as  a  tost imony  n gainst  you,  for  tho  inhuman  troatment 
we  have  reoeiv(=^d  from  th  i  j)nlty  tyrants  who  rule  thfro;  who 
have  caused  so  munh  sulforing  and  sli'>ddingof  innocent  blood, 
tho  victim's  dying;  groans  ascond  to  tho  god  of  justice,  and 
if  yoii  aronol  spoodily  visited  by  somn  soro  calamity,  it  will 
not  bo  hrcniiso  you  are  imdosorving,  for,  thn  mullitudo  of  evils 
you  have  been  guilty  of  heaping  upon  tho  heads,  [jacks,  and 
liearts  of  the  poor  and  defoncoless.  You  Willed  it,  you  delight- 
ed in  it,  you  have  done  it  because  you  had  tho  power.  You 
havo  abused  tho  power  which  has  hern  given  you,  by  commit- 
ting many  heinous,  degrading,  and  abominable  acts,  that  havo 
caused  the  heart  of  the  widow  nnd  the  fatherless  to  bleed,  and 
when  they  beggod,  plead,  and  beseeched  of  you  for  a  morsel  to 
sustain  life,  you  have  denied  them  and  caused  tho  Insh  to  be  lib- 
erally administered  instead.  Because  they  havo  had  the  imper- 
tinence to  ask  for  aid,  after  their  rights  had  been  cruelly  wres- 
ted frr  m  them,  by  your  grasj)ing,  covetous,  callous  hearts,  and 
your  iron-nerved,  strong,  unftinching,  oppressive,  overbear- 
ing, unyielding  arms.  You  havo  not  put  forth  a  finger  to  aid 
them,  except  it  has  been  greatly  to  your  advantage  so  to  do. 
Look  out !  great  calamities  are  about  to  fall  upon  your  accur- 
sed, cruel  heads.  You  make  great  pretensions  to  all  that  is 
good,  merely  to  cloak  your  sins;  but  bo  sure,  your  sins  will 
find  you  out,  and  in  time,  you  will  be  made  to  reap  tho  reward 
of  your  evil  deeds. 

1  will  not  undertake  to  describe  my  feelings  m  leaving  a 
place  where  we  had  seen  and  received  no  much  abuse  and  suf- 
fering, and  been  looked  upon  with  disdain  and  contempt,by  pre- 
tended gentlemen,  because  wo  were  unjustly  and  illegally, 
convicts,  and  treated  as  such,  in  every  sense  of  tho  word, 
But,  notwithstanding  you  wear  the  garb  of  gentility,  I  have 
considered  myself  polluted  by  being  under  your  jurisdiction, 
or  even  in  your  presence;  for  in  you,  or  from  you  proceedeth 
n«)  good.  I  consider  the  effect  similar  to  one  approaching 
the  Bohon  Upas;  if  it  is  not  instant  death,  it  is  a  lingering 
one,  and  any  one  who  continues  long  under  your  contamina- 
ting influence,  and  rotten  love  of  monarchy  and  oppression, 
must,  sooner  or  Inter  die  of  a  grievous  plague.     How  unlucky 


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NARRATIVE  OP  A 


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I 


for  us,  and  the  cause,  in  1837  and  8  that  our  president  was  so 
much  of  a  Queen's  man.  He  should  have  a  salary  from  her. 
1  expect  he  has —  for  services  rendered. 

The  prospect  of  leaving,gave  me  much  joy;  but  my  compan- 
ions whom  1  was  leaving,  siill  in  the  power  of  vi|)|»rs,  caused 
me  to  be  sorrowful,  and  much  cast  down,  for  fear  many  of 
them  would  not  survive  tlieir  poisonous  stings,  wliich  had  been 
so  repeatedly  thrust  tiu'ough  them,  causing  mnny  of  them  to 
resemble  skeletons.  But  mv  prayer  is  Jiat  thev  inayberes- 
cued  before  ti»e  last  drop  of  blood  sluill  be  extracted,  lo  quench 
the  thirst  of  demons  in  liuina>i  form,  andtlioy  all,  iall  martyrs 
to  a  rigliteous  cause.  l^'areA'fll,  comrades!  May  you  live 
10  enjoy  a  long  life  of  freedoii  i  and  peace,  in  your  native  land; 
vimong  the  many  ])atriols,  ])Lilantliropists,  and  friends  of  lib- 
erty and  equal  riglits.  who  liave  never  considered  the  crime, 
for  which  you  have  sullercd  so  njuch,  in  the  least,  degrading; 
but  iiave,  and  1  hope,  always  will  esteem  it  houorablo,  just, 
and  holy;  even  to  fail  in.  Fa.'e»vell!  Although  my  body  is 
now  floating  upon  the  boundkos  ocean,  and  soon  will  be  far 
iVom  you,  yet  the  mind  will  often  wander  back,  with  anxious 
lonrjfii.Gjs  for  your  welfare  and  release  from  your  horrible  sut- 
ferings  and  deprivations.  Be  thou  with  ihem,  O!  God,  to 
guard,  protect,  and,  it'  ills  thy  will,  deliver  them  allout  of  the 
hands  of  the  oppressor  ! 

We  are  now  leaving  the  last  glimpse  of  Vandieman's  Land; 
our  ship  a  good  one — every  sail  set — favored  with  a  fair 
breeze — headed  lo  the  eastward — going  at  the  rate  of  ten  nets 
an  hour.  Now  the  land,  where  the  sun,  at  12  o'  clojk,  is  in 
the  north  instead  of  souths  disapi)ears.  We  have  only  the 
trackless  ocean  presented  to  our  view.  As  wo  glide  majestic- 
ally along,  over  the  deep,  rolling  billows,  and  as  I  sit,  viewing 
the  vast  swarms  of  flying  fish,  the  porpoises  rolling  and  tum- 
bling; as  it  were,  at  short  intervals  appearing  upon  the  surface 
and  as  often  immersed  several  feet  beneath ,  as  if  trying  their 
speed  with  our  ship,  and  generally  they  came  off  victorious 
leaving  us  in  the  rear.  The  albatross,  much  resembling  the 
goose,  in  size  and  color,  sailed  gracefully  around  our  ship  as  if 
pleased  with  her  appearance,  and  indicating  much  pleasure, 
seemingly,  in  courting  ours.  As  I  sat,  musing  upon  the  scen- 
ery which  so  sudden  a  change  had  presented,  it  might  havo 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


187 


sident  was  so 
ry  from  her. 

my  cornpan- 
i|)te^rs,  caused 
ear  many  of 
lich  had  boon 
y  of  Ihcm  to 
^  may  be  res- 
?d,  lo  quench 
fall  martyrs 
day  you  live 
native  land; 
Vicnds  of  lib- 
?d  IJje  crime, 
it,  degrading; 
iiorablc,  just, 
1  my  body  is 
•n  will  be  far 
with  anxious 
'  horrible  suf- 
,  O !  God,  to 
all  out  of  the 

man's  Land; 

with  a   fair 

eof  ten  nots 

'  clocik,  is  in 

Lve  only  the 

ide  majestic- 

sit,  viewing 

ng  and  tum- 

n  the  surface 

trying  their 

F  victorious 

embling  the 

our  ship  as  if 

ch  pleasure, 

ion  the  seen- 

might  have 


been  an  hour  that  my  mind  was  released  from  the  horrors  of 
the  land  where  1  had  sutfered  so  much  both  of  body  and  mind. 
As  quick  as  lightning,  my  mind  returned  to  the  horrible  place 
we  had  just  loft,  wondering  if  my  companions,  there,  would 
over  be  so  lucky  as,  like  us,to  be  on  an  American  vessel, 
bound  from  that  Sodom,  ti;at  sink  of  iniquity.  As  1  was 
meditating  upon  this  and  upon  the  improbability  or  impossi- 
bility of  myself  or  any  other  mortal  ever  being  able  to  des- 
cribe one  hall'  the  abominable  acts  of  the  rulers  as  well  as 
the  horrible  sulibrings  inliicted  and  borne  by  thousands, 
until  at  last,  obliged  to  sink  under  their  weight,  with  theij- 
backs,  literally,  a  mass  of  congealed  blood,  from  the  stripe^ 
caused  by  the  whips  of  their  task  masters.  lUil  because 
they  jjire  such  abominable  sinners,  they  are  rci'usrd  a  resting 
place,  by  their  mild,  condescending,  humane  masters,  for 
their  torn  and  mangled  bodies  while  living;  and  when  dead, 
the  traffic  is  still  carried  on  with  the  bodies;  and  as  long 
as  they  can,  in  any  manner,  reap  a  shilling  from  the  poor, 
dead  or  alive,  lo  replenish  their  purse,  they  have  no  scru- 
ples in  so  doing.  O  !  how  long  will  the  Spanish  inciuisition 
continue;  modeled  over  amongst  civilized  nations,  uneer  the 
garb  of  church  and  state  and  great  and  mighty  sounding 
titles.  As  L  am  meditating  u|/on  these  horrible  thingb-;  my 
heart  fairly  sickens  and  my  debilitated  trame  from  sulibrings 
under  this  great,  good,  lawful,  church-ai;d-state  modeled 
inquisition,  fuids  its  way  iVom  the  U|)perdeckto  a  b'jrth  below. 
1  lay  ruminating  upon  the  h(jrrors  of  the  pasi  and  hopes 
of  the  future,  till  at  last,  being  almost  overcome  with  cogita- 
tions and  tiie  forebodings  of  sea-sickness,  together  with  the 
pain  in  my  side  and  breast  seemingly  increasing  by  thu  sud- 
den change,  i  lell  aslee});  after  coming  to  the  conclusion  that 
tUe  one  half  can   never  be  told.  j 

As  I  rested  very  well  the  iirst  night,  I  rose  in  the  morn- 
ing feeling  some  better  than  when  I  retired,  though 
very  sick  at  the  stomach,  and  no  appetite;  I  had  been  up 
but  a  ^ew  moments  when  I  began  to  vomit,  but  not  as  freely 
as  I  wished.  I  will  not  attempt  a  description  of  the  horrible 
death-like  feelings  of  seasickness — I  will  only  say,  if  it 
operates  on  others,  as  it  did  on  me,  you  have  very  little 
choice  either  to  live  or  die,  and  I  was  much  reduced  by  sea- 


t 


'•md 


S 


i!]?'l 


':  ;i 


•if; 


!     > 


i 


i; 


\U^\l 


:':-JI 


aaacs 


sscr:'- 


188 


NAURATIVE  OP  A 


■<-   ;t 


lir-i,- 


sickness,  pain  in  the  side  and  breast,  having  very  little  relish 
tor  anything  on'shipboard  during  nearly  three  months.  I  will 
not  attempt  a  relation  of  all  as  itoccured  daily,  as  the  most 
or  all  of  my  readers  have  read  or  heard  of  the  perils  of  a  sea 
voyage,  and  for  other  reasons  which  I  consider  suflicient.  1 
shall  bo  very  brief. — The  captain  cruised  a  short  time  for 
whale  on  the  coast  of  New  Zealand:  afier  we  had  been  out 
about  six  weeks,  took  what  is  termed  a  right  whale,  which 
was  to  us  something  of  a  curiosity;  the  head  of  the  right 
wiiale  contains  the  common  whalebone  for  nir  markets;  the 
head  of  the  sperm  whale  is  valuable  on  account  of  the  ivory 
teetli.  As  the  whale  is  discovered  by  the  men  at  mast  head, 
(there  is  one  or  two  kept  constantly  there  through  the  day,) 
with  a  loud  long  singing  tone,  'SrhaleO,"  the  captain  or  mate 
responds  by  saying,  "where  a- way,"  "right  a  head  sir,"  "how 
far,"  one  mile  or  one  mile  and  a  half,  as  may  be*  When  it 
is  ascertained  what  kind  it  is,  and  if  thought  best  by  the  cap- 
tain and  mate,  the  orders  are  given  to  lower  away  two  boats 
— they  are  quickly  manned  by  six  men  each;  and  pull  away 
for  the  huge  monster, — as  they  pull  along  side,  the  man  in 
the  bow  throws  his  harpoon,  and  as  the  whale  starts  off,  the 
rope  that  lays  coiled  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  one  end  being 
fast  to  the  handle  of  the  harpoon,  is  taken  out  very  quick  fifty 
or  sixty  fathom,  and  if  the  whale  continues  on  the  surface, 
the  rope  is  made  fast  and  towed  by  his  whaleship,  perhaps  a 
mile  or  two  when  he  stops  to  rest  and  spout;  they  pull  again 
along  side  as  quick  as  possible,  and  with  the  lance,  strike  him 
two  or  three  times  before  he  can  get  out  of  the  way;  this  pro- 
cess is  pursued  until  the  cry  is,  "she  spouts  blood,"  they  then 
lay  on  their  oars,  or  in  other  words,  cease  hostilities,  until  the 
whale  bleeds  to  death;  it  was  about  six  hours  from  the  time 
the  boats  were  lowered,  until  the  whale  was  dead,  the  boats 
make  fast  and  tow  their  prize  to  the  ship,  if  it  is  a  calm,  but 
if  the  wind  is  favorable,  the  ship  sails  up  to  them — the  whale 
is  made  fast  by  the  ship's  side;  they  then  swing  a  plank  over 
the  side,  a  man  stands  upon  it,  having  a  rope  so  fixed  that 
he  can  rest  the  weight  of  his  body  in  a  leaning  posture,  and 
with  a  sharp  spade  about  seven  inches  in  width  fast  to  a  poll 
about  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  in  length;  with  that  he  cut* 
strips  of  blubber,  from  one;  to  two,  and  three  hundred  pounds, 


j^»i^>-m,i*»lmm\m 


<uSr,m^3,i\.A-^ 


M^tfMLi^ 


■^■*t»  ■:>-;■  ",->., 


littlo  relish 
nlhs.  I  will 
IS  the  most 
ils  of  a  sea 
ifficient.     1 
i'l  time   for 
nd  been  out 
lale,    which 
of  the  right 
iarl\ets;  the 
y['  the  ivory 
mnst  head, 
rh  the  day,) 
tain  or  mate 
isir,"  "how 
•     When  it 
;  by  the  cap- 
ly  two  boats 
d  pull  away 
the  man  in 
tarts  off,  the 
le  end  being 
T  quick  fifty 
le  surface, 
perhaps  a 
pull  again 
strike  him 
ly;  this  pro- 
thev  then 
es,  until  the 
)m  the  time 
the  boats 
calm,  but 
—the  whale 
plank  over 
fixed  that 
osture,  and 
st  to  a  poll 
at   he  cuts 
red  pounds, 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


189 


a  man  is  there  to  hitch  the  hook  of  tlie  tackle  that  is  fastened 
to  the  main-mast,  just  above  the  main-yard  arm;  ten  or  twelve 
men  at  the  windlass  near  the  bow,  as  the  word  is  given  by 
the  man  that  is  fastening  the  iiook,  "lieavo  O,"  all  hands  at 
the  windlass  commence  heaving  and  singing  a  sailor's  phrase 
suitable  for  the  occasion  until  the  gro.it  strip  of  blubber  is  torn 
from  the  carcass  and  drawn  upon  deck,  and  so  on,  until  the 
blubber  is  all  pealed  otl",  then  thecarcass  is  cut  loose,  and  left 
a  prey  to  sharks  and  albatros,  uhich  are  numerous  during 
the  cutting  up  of  the  blubber,  which  generally  lakes  a  half- 
aday.  I  bave  seen  as  many  as  twenty  sharks  around  with- 
in ten  or  fifteen  feet  during  the  cutting  in,  some  small,  some 
large  ones,  they  vary  in  length,  from  one  to  forty  feet,  but 
it  is  seldom  vou  see  one  over  twenty  feet  and  not  often  over 
ten;  somotim  3S  they  are  obliged  to  siioot  at  them  to  keep 
them  from  attacking  the  whale  whilst  to  work  at  it. 

As  soon  as  the  first  piece  is  dropt  on  deck,  it  is  cut  up  in 
chunks  from  twenty  to  fifty  pounds,  when  it  is  ready  for  try- 
ing. There  is  four  kettles  or  cauldrons  set  in  an  arch  be- 
tween the  fore  and  main  masts,  built  of  brick.  They  at  first 
kindle  the  fire  with  wood  and  then  scraps  are  used  until  it  is 
all  tried  out,  they  try  day  and  night  until  all  is  done,  it  takes 
two  days  to  try  a  large  whale.  When  the  oil  is  dipped  into 
casks,  from  a  good  one,  they  will  have  sixty-five  or  seventy 
barrels,  but  this  one  vviiich  I  called  a  largo  one,  yielded  only 
thirty  barrels;  it  was  counted  hardly  worth  taking.  When 
the  mouth  of  this  one  wis  open,  a  man  could  stand  upright. 
I  enquired  of  the  old  whaleman  if  they  supposed  that  to  be  the 
kind  that  swallowed  Jonah,  the  answer  I  received  from  the 
old  tars,  was  what  I  might  have  expected;  *'0,"  says  they, 
"we  have  catched  or  seen  all  kinds  of  fish  that  swim  in  the 
ocean,  some  with  large  mouths,  some  small,  but  never  saw 
any  that  had  a  throat  large  enough  to  receive  that,  showing 
his  large  bony  fist,  "that,"  says  he,  must  go  with  other  fish 
stories.  *'0,"  says  an  old  tar,  "Jonah  might  have  been  one 
of  the  Liliputians  that  Guliver  describes,"  "well"  says  he, 
"that  may  be,  but  there  is  so  many  strange  things  and  stories 
told  by  great  and  learned  men,  and  then  contradicted 
by  others,  that  it  is  of  no  use  to  believe  anything  but  what 
you  see,  and  then  we  are  liable  to  be  deceived,"  "yes,"  says 


i 


r 


M    * 

M 

,1 


•y  ,;i 


^ 


'1 


ill 
Mi 


lii 


,:  :  i:if 


'.««••  MftA!*«nuM 


190 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


1 1 


ll^ 


.i-' 


IH't 


another,  *'no  longer  ago  than  yesterday,  I  was  at  musJ  head, 
supposed  I  saw  one  at  some  distance,  sung  out  whuh?  O,  come 
to  it  was  only  a  porpoise — ;iuHt  so  wiih  Jonah  and  ll'e  b'g  lish 
when  you  find  out  the  truth,  will  be  altogether  dJHerent 
from  what  was  expected,  but  you  know  there  are  a  great 
many  speculators,-  all  trades  must  live.  -Bu'.,  their  was  a 
number  of  thorn  got  into  the  debate  upon  that,  which  led  to 
other  subjects,  wliich  some  would  call  foolish  to  pen  in  a  book 
yet,  many  of  tJie  remarks,  although  from  old  tars,  if  they 
could  be  sjjoken  by  those  that  were  used  to  polish,  would  have 
been  considered  noble,  brilliant  and  edifying,  but  as  I  was 
speaking  of  wiuiles,  I  shall  leave  them  to  settle  the  dispute, 
•rj  About  a  week  iVom  the  time  of  taking  the  first  one,  a 
sperm  vvliule  was  taken — there  was  three  boats  that  had  been 
in  pursuiiV-ior  some  time,  at  last  the  capt;ain  not  satisfied, 
thinking  he  could  have  harpooned  him  Ioup;  before  that, 
ordered  the  fourth  bout  lowered,  soon  they  left  the  ship  and 
about  a  mile  olfontiie  striri)oard  bow,  they  came  along  side; 
the  captain  darted  and  fastened  to  the  whale,  but  being  rather 
too  near,  the  boat  was  struck  by  the  tail,  and  all  hands  thrown 
out  and  the  boat  soon  filled  with  water.  We  could  see  them 
from  the  ship,  and  expected  some  were  killed,  but  luckily  ibr 
them,  the  wha! ;  slrijck  the  bo.-it  on  the  side,  which  stove  a 
hole,  causing  it  to  iill  very  quick,  but  they  managed  to  kee[) 
near  and  some  to  hold  to  the  boat  until  one  could  come  to 
their  assistance;  two  boats  were  employed  in  ])icking  up  the 
men,  and  towing  the  shattered  boat  to  the  ship,  whilst  the 
fourth  one  continued  in  pur^suit  of  the  whale.  After  they  had 
secured  the  boat  and  crew,  they  returned  to  assist  in  killing 
the  whale«  the  mate's  boat  was  likewise  stove,  but  none  hurt, 
notwithstanding  there  was  but  two  boats  left,  they  stuck  to 
the  old  chap  until  the  cry  was,  ''she  spouts  blood."  As  there 
was  no  wind  that  day,  the  ship  could  not  go  to  them,  and  af- 
ter being  out  from  morning  until  eight  in  the  evening,  work- 
ing with  all  their  might  and  nothing  to  eat,  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  ship  with  their  prize  lashed  along  side;  they 
being  so  tired,  did  not  commence  cutting  it  in  until  the  next 
morning.  This  one  was  larger  than  the  first,  but  did  not 
yield  as  much  oil  into  ten  barrels — this  one  was  twenty-six 
feet  in  length,  the  first  one  twenty-two,     #  mdi  .hifij  ^fiO;?  ito/ 


U- 


PATRIOT    EXIIiE. 


191 


<< 


rriast  head, 

il(5  O,  come 

ll'o  big  tish 

31'   dirterent 

re  a   great 

their  was  a 

licli    led  to 

jn  ill  a  book 

rs,   if   they 

would  have 

but  as  1  was 

the  dispute. 

irst  one,    a 

at  had  been 

ot  satislied, 

belbro  that, 

e   ship   and 

along  side; 

)ei  11  g  rather 

indis  thrown 

ild  see  them 

luckily  ibr 

lich  r^tove  a 

^ed  to  keep 

Id  come  to 

king  up  the 

,  whilst  the 

;er  they  had 

;t  in  killing 

none  hurt, 

y  stuck   to 

As  there 

m,  and  af- 

ing,  work- 

icceeded  in 

side;  they 

1  the  next 

lit  did  not 

twenty-six 


The  blubber  or  fat  when  peeled  oft*,  is  about  six  or  eight 
inches  thick,  the  surfaco or  skin  an  inch,  of  a  dark  color, 
much  resembling  India  rubber.  ;•;;  nil.'      If,-  -  v'Mf'  !i"':i-; 

I  might  dwell  at  considerable  length  upon  the  subject  of 
whaling,  but  consider  it  rather  out  of  j)lace  in  this  work, 
and  shall  merely  remark  in  conclusion,  that  1  consider  it  not 
only  dangerous  but  very  disngrooa'jlc  work,  still  there  are 
those  that  like  it.  (Air  ship  was  considered  capable  of  c'lrry- 
ing  two  thousand  barrels  of  oil,  andiwas  bound  to  the  norlli- 
west,  sometiiiiig  like  twenty-five  thousand  miles  i\  ..i  Boston. 
[t  was  expected  it  would  take  them  throe  years  to  obtain  a 
load.  The  crow  of  a  whaler  amounts  to  tiiirty — there  beinc; 
so  many  engaged  in  the  business,  it  is  not  as  profitable  now 
as  formerly. 

Soon  afier  taking  the  last  whale,  on  account  of  rough 
weather  and  scarceness  of  whales,  the  captain  gave  up  crui- 
sing and  bore  away  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  where  he  inten- 
ded to  leave  us,  take  in  a  supply  of  fresh  provisions  and  wa- 
ter and  then  ])rocccd  to  the  lishing  ground,  as  it  is  called. 
We  were  three  months  in  going.  \Vc  passed  two  or  tliree 
small  islands  on  our  way.  Vv'e  stoi)ped  at  one  of  liio  Society 
Islands  called  Kematura.  We  lay  oli'and  on  durinii  iheday. 
Tlie  captain  and  matt,  went  ashore  with  two  small  boats  and 
])urchased  some  iVuit  of  the  natives;  such  as  oranges,  bana- 
nas, pine-apples,  <.Vc.  The  natives  sf.'emed  very  iViendiy. 
The  king  persuaded  them  to  dine  with  him.  The  dinner 
was  plain  and  shnpic.  Tiie  king's  daughter  pr'-sided,  wi'Ji 
a  cluster  of  long,  beautiful  featiiers,  l)rusiiing  the  flies  away 
from  the  table  whilst  they  were  eating.  Our  men  described 
her  and  others  of  her  sex,  as  being  naturally  polite,  ailable 
and  apparently,  much  pleased  on  being  visited  by  Americans. 
The  nien  are  called  canackers,  the  women,  wyheniasnnd 
the  ildren,  pickininies.  Some  two  or  three  of  the  can- 
ackers  came  out  to  the  ship  although  they  could  not 
talk  English.  They  manifested  their  joy  by  shaking  the 
hand  of  all  and  with  a  smile,  savin? — "  Oury  miti !  ourv 
mill !"  signifying — white  man  very  good.  The  sailors  gave- 
them  such  clothing  as  they  could  spare,  which  pleased  them 
much.  It  made  no  difference  whether  the  garment  fitted  or 
not;  if  they  could  get  them  on,  so  as,  in  any  way  to  resemble 


«( 


r 

i'  .  ■  ■ 

■','  oi 

l.  ' '' 


r.i 


t^« 


:ii  ■  .  ' 


I 


•"  1 

■  \ 


■ll 


1  i^  i 


*: '  ( 


'4 


H^t,.1l0^tfm  w».yj«>-W  I V  I .»  ■  w  iOiMm^I**- 


iimm    -IShrt"  I     rtiit-ii"*     'ii7it1    ■      '      »^.*3-**— 


1 


t 


h 


192 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


US,  they  would  feel  quite  rejoiced,  and  almost  convStnntly  say- 
ing—  "oury  mili !  oury  mill !"  until  they  left  for  their 
fruitful  little  island.  The  natives  on  this  as  well  as  all  the 
South  sea  Islands,  are  of  a  dark  complexion,  with  long, 
strait  hnir  and  features  much  tlio  snmo  as  the  Europeans. 
Although  they  are  called  heathen,  I  am  sorry  to  say  — their 
simple  and  harmless  race  is  dwindling  away  and  will  ere 
long  become  extinct  and  their  islands  inhabited  by  christians 
(so  called).  The  next  island  wo  discovered,  was  Otaheite 
or  Tahila.  The  Society  Islands  are  situated  between  lati- 
tude 16  and  18  deg.  S.;  longitude  148  and  iry^  deg.  west. 
They  were  discovered  by  Capt.  Cook  in  1769.  The  inhab- 
itants of  this  island,  at  that  lime,  were  estimated  by  Captain 
Cook  at  200,000  souls;  but  is  now  said  to  not  exceed  10,000. 
Our  captain  went  ashore  here  for  the  purpose  of  ascertain- 
ing of  the  American  consul  if  it  would  be  prudent  to  leave  us 
at  that  place;  but  as  it  was  not  in  the  season  for  whalers  to 
return  home  and  the  French  having  taken  possession  of  the 


principal    port,  it 


being 


under  martial    law,    they    having 


dethroned  Queen  Pomare,  the  prospect  was,  there  would  be 
an  engagement  and  there  was  no  knowing  how  it  would  end. 
He  thought  it  best  for  us  to  go  to  Honalula.  This  soro 
calamity  would  not  have  befallen  the  simple  South  Sea  Islan- 
ders, hod  it  not  been  the  determination  of  some  desi(.  jng  men 
to  persuade,  if  not  to  compel  them  to  receive  the  gospel, 
which  term,  I  believe  signifies,  good  news  and  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy;  which  to  them,  however,  is  a  cause  of  grief 
and  much  sorrow;  and  their  determination  to  spread  the  gos- 
pel of  sorrow  and  grief,  bids  fair  to  cause  an  extermination 
of  the  heathen  (so  called)  by  christians  (so  called)  and  then, 
which  denomination  will  claim  possession  of  the  islands  ? 
They  had  better  be  more  united;  then  all  the  christian  denom- 
inations can  share  in  this  lawful  and  righteous  plunder.  ; 
I  must  stop  for  fear  1  shall  say  something  that  will  not 
accord  with  popular  opinion;  but  when  I  know  some  of  the 
facts  in  relation  to  this  subject,  why  should  I  withhold  them  ? 
It  is  not  through  fear  of  man  or  any  number  of  men,  but  it 
is  on  account  of  health;  the  same  that  has  prevented  mo 
from  more  fully  explaining  many  things  which  you  see  I 
have  been  obliged  to  pass  over.     O !  that  there  was  not  so 


jlnntly  say- 

:   for  their 

1  ns  all  the 

with  long, 

biUropeans. 

ny  — their 

id  will   ere 

J  christians 

IS  Otaheite 

jtween  lali- 

deg.    west. 

The  inhfib- 

by  Captain 

3ed  J  0,000. 

f  nscertain- 

to  leave  us 

whalers  to 

sion  of  the 

ley   having 

•e  would  be 

would  end. 

This  sore 

\\  Sea  Islan- 

mg  men 

e    gospel, 

ad  tidings 

se  of  grief 

d  the  gos- 

ernnination 

and  then, 

le  islands  % 

ian  denoni- 

inder. 

It  will  not 

3me  of  the 

»old  them  J 

nen,  but  it 

vented  mo 

you  see  I 

vas  not  so 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


198 


much  pretention,  but  more  real,  genuine,  disinterested  ben- 
evolence or  religion  in  the  world  !  ]5ut,  as  this  is  a  world 
of  wonders — I  wonder  if  the  South  will  be  willing  to  share 
the  si)oils  of  Mexico,  with  the  North  !  if  not;  I  would  take 
the  Canndas,  just  to  spite  them.  You  know  ihoy  were  op. 
posed  to  that  in  the  last  war,  because  it  would  give  to  the 
North  tlie  balance  of  power. 

But  stop  !  what  am  I  talking  about  ?  \Vhat  business  have 
I  to  say  anything  about  govornuieiit  ailairs;  now  that  1  have 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  so  many  great,  noblo,  wealthy 
men,  by  opposing  tyranny?  According  to  xwy  treatment  of 
some  of  these  worthies,  1  have  no  right  to  oven  think  of 
those  matters;  much  loss  to  speak,  it  there  bo  a  few  ran- 
dom remarks  ihrougliout  these  pages,  that  might  not  exactly 
suit  some,  just  remember  i  have  been  absent  seven  years  and 
so  situated  that,  on  returning,  1  would  not  be  in  a  situation 
to  please  every  body.  Some  very  ^reat  and  good  men  have 
not  the  faculty  to  please  every  body,  therefore  1  hope  to  bo 
tbrgiven  by  considerate  persons.  ,    /        .       ,        .   ••. 

All  sail  is  set,  and  we  fast  leaving  Otaheite  and  its  neigh- 
boring cluster,  for  there  are  two  or  three  in  sight,  as  we  are 
nearing  as  well  as  leaving  Otaheite,  wo  passed  near  Owyhe, 
all  of  these  islands  appear  to  bo  volcanic,  on  this  one  is 
a  burning  mountain,  and  it  was  here  that  captain  Cook  was 
killed. 

We  are  now  anchored  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the 
principal  town  of  one  of  the  vSr.ndvvhich  Islands,  called  Hon- 
alula,  and  as  the  captain  had  gone  on  shore  to  ascertain  of 
the  king  if  we  would  be  permitted  to  stop  there,  until  an 
opportunity  offered  of  our  getting  a  ship  homeward  bound, 
1  will  return  and  make  a  few  remarks  upon  our  pa'^^-nge;  we 
were  three  months  on  our  passage,  which  was  ncay  thirteen 
thousand  miles,  but  in  cruising  i'or  whale,  it  was  supposed 
we  had  sailed  nearly  fifteen  thousand,  and  of  couise  had  ex- 
perienced some  rough  weather,  twice  we  came  very  near 
being  lost,  as  I  thought,  and  [  believe  I  was  not  the  only  one 
that  thought  it.  Our  captain  was  a  very  careful  and  able 
seaman — but  at  one  time  a  squall  came  so  suddenly  upon  us, 
all  sail  being  set,  that  it  came  very  near  capsizing  the  ship, 
but  by  all  hands  working  as  for  life,  by  cutting  some   saii 


*v 


\ 


1^ 


i       (    (  J 

1!, 


1 


\ 


■  u 

i  ■ 

Hi 


!-    ' 


J 


if 


"'*'!^ir  .■■M<*j 


194 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


i  • 


I    . 


ii: 


Ul 


V 


loose  and  taking  in  the  rest,  at  last  succeeded  in  righting  tiie 
ship,  which  wus  nearly  on  her  buam  ends.  1  think  it  was  on 
this  dfiy,  as  the  ship  was  laboring  hard  through  tfic  day  it 
seemed  doubtful  wlietlier  she  would  livu  through  it,  (as  the 
term  is)  as  the  tremendous  swells  were  at  intervals  breaking 
over  us,  apparently  threatning  to  bury  us  alive,  (jfton  the 
water  upon  deck  was  uj)  to  our  knees,  and  by  tlio  time  it. 
would  run  oil"  at  the  holes  tor  that  purpose  in  each  side  ot"  the 
ship,  another  swell  would  break  over  us,  causing  all  hands 
to  bo  dripping  wet,  ibr  days  together,  as  the  snip  wus  rolling 
mul  pitching  at  an  awful  rate,  the  caboose  that  was  secured  as 
was  supposed  in  the  center  of  the  main  deck,  used  for  keep- 
ing pigs,  fowls,  saucj,  cVc,  gave  way  aiii)  went  with  speed 
across  the  bulwarks;  three  sailors  had  just  left  the  spot,  the 
I'ourth  one  was  irmking  fast  a  rope,  lie  was  caught  and  crush- 
ed so  bntl,  that  he  survived  but  twenty-four  hours,  during 
which  time  ho  was  in  great  pain.  Tho  funeral  ceremonies 
were  performed  the  following  day  by  captnin  Young,  and  liis 
body  consigned  to  the  niighty  deep,  and  we  trust  his  spirit  to 
God  w  ho  gave  it.  At  another  lime  we  exj)erienced  a  storm 
with,  rain,  wind,  thundci'  and  lightning — some  .'•ail  carried 
away,  it  increased  to  that  degree  that  every  rag  of  sail  had 
to  be  close  reefed,  and  fmally  obliged  to  run  before  the  wind 
or  (ns  it  is  called)  scudding  under  bare  polls;  on  this  account, 
you  see  it  is  necessary  to  have  plenty  of  sea-room,  other 
ways  the  ship  is  driven  on  shore.  I  think  1  never  saw  ii, 
rain  half  as  hard  on  land  as  on  the  ocean. 

Captain  Young  is  now  on  board,  with  intelligence  that  the 
king  Kamehameha  J3d,  on  hearing  that  we  were  American-, 
and  of  our  inhuman  treatment  from  the  English — oi'  our 
present  situation  and  of  our  desire  to  stop  until  an  opportuni- 
ty -olfcred  to  return  to  America — said  he  had  no  objections  to 
our  stopjiing  and  he  was  surjirised  that  the  Americans  allowed 
their  subjects  to  be  taken  so  far  from  home  and  made  slaves 
of  by  the  English,  it  seemed  hard  for  him  to  understand. 

As  some  of  us  would  stop  in  Jeilerson  County    and  others 

■farther  west,  there  was  two  joint   notes    given   payable   one 

year  from  date,  thirty  dollars  each,  for  our   passage  to   that 

place.     We  are  now,  April  27th    1845,    on   shore,    except 

seven  that  shipped  with  captain  Young  for  the  voyage,    imi 


mii.'tiu'j  t.^TsifiXtM  iliiT  j,i<..i'.'.mwmMi 


I 

PATRIOT    EXILE. 


105 


.  •:) 


righting  tiic 
k  it  was  on 
the  day  it 
it,  (as  the 
.Is  breaking 
(jl'ton  the 
tiio  time  if. 
\  side  ot'  the 
J  nil  hands 
was  rolling 
s secured  as 
ed  lor  keej)- 
vvith  speed 
lie  spot,  the 
il  aiidcrusii- 
urs,  during 
ceremonies 
jng,  and  his 
his  spirit  to 
cod  a  storm 
f-ail  carried 
of  sail  had 
re  the  wind 
'lis  accouni. 
uom,  other 
^er   saw    ii 

ce  that  tlio 

jAmerican-, 

|sh — oi"  our 

opportuni- 

bjections  to 

ns  allowed 

ade   slaves 

lerstand. 

land  others 

yable   one 

;e  to   that 

re,    except 

I'age.'j  imi 


When  the  American  residents  there,  were  informed  that 
we  were  the  Canadian  ()atriots,  that  had  been  sent  to  Van 
Dieman's  Land  in  1887-8,  and  that  had  siitfered  so  much  and 
long  tor  heifig  engaged  in  thj  cause  of  liberty,  wo  were 
welcomed  to  tlie  sh.)re  and  in  some  ninasuro  our  wants  sup- 
plied. These  islands  are  situated  in  the  north  Pncilio  Ocean 
between  l.-it.  1*1  and  'S^  north,  Ion.  [')l  and  U)0  west,  the 
|)opulationof  iho  whole  errou|)  was  estirnatod  by  cn]>fain 
King  in  1T78  at  401), out),  Initcaptam  I'illis'  rstimato^in  |K37 
puts  it  at  l.>0,()00.  All  those  islands  appear  to  bo  diminish- 
ing wondorfuliy  in  populalioii,  since  tiio  discovery  nndsotllo- 
ment  by  iMuopcans — Uioro  may  bo  various  reasons,  but  I 
shall  reior  you  lo  iho  past  history  of  America  as  a  sample, 
it  is  very  evident  that  as  seltloinents  nud  civilization  increas- 
ed by  Europeans,  that  tiie  natives  and  all  wild  animals  soom- 
ed  to  dwindle  awav  and  t^radualiv  disat)r)oar,  as  their  forosts 
are  convened  to  iruilful  fields,  yielding- all  kinds  ofdolicncioH 
lor  the  wiiite  man;  but  to  these  children  of  the  forest,  civi- 
lization proves  a  rank  poison,  and  they  dwindle,  wilt  nnd  tiir 
like  tiie  gnss  bofoiotlic  sythe;  thus  1  have  seen  it  in  Amer- 
ica, Van  Dieman's  Land,  vSandwich  nnd  Society  Islands, 
and  I  dont  know  but  N'^w  Zoalan;!  and  a  <^i'ent  many  other 
[daces  might  he  included;  init  i  am  not  a  popular  man, 
and  might  not  coincide  in  every  respect  with  j)opulnr  opinion 
respecting  theoccupyin??  and  troatiwont  of  the  quiet  and  in- 
offensive natives  of  tiioso  diubrent  j)laces,  (I  mean  innofen- 
sive  when  tliev  are  let  alone). 

Oahu,  of  whicli  Ilonaluia  is  tiic  capital  and  principal  town 
and  ])ort  of  entry,  contains  .lli")  square  miles,  and  *20,00() 
inhabitants.  Monalula  contains  about  8,000  native,  and  'MM) 
i'oreigners,  some  From-h,  English  and  Chinese,  hut  the 
principal  part  are  Americans,  The  situntion  of  those  Isl- 
ands render  them  important  to  vessels  naviga.ting  (lie  north- 
ern Pacific,  partly  for  repairs,  provisions,  aiid  partly  in  oon?- 
mercial  respects.  The  prosecution  of  the  whale  llsherv  on 
the  coast  of  .lapan,  have  materially  enhanced  the  importance 
of  these  islands;  the  United  vStates  government  have  a  com- 
missioner and  consul  residing  here,  there  is  a  largo  quantity 
of  American  naval  stores  here,  they  are  necessary  to  sup- 
ply our  men  of  war,  whilst  cruising  in  the  Pacific.  Several 
war  vessels  put  in  during  our  four  months  stay  here,   u^  ^'»*» 


'H 


;iii 


11 


it^ 


iii 


111 

i- 

5i" 


1  \ 


It 


! 


»- 


196 


NARRATIVE  Or  A 


L 


Tho  foreigners  have  very  good  houses;  there  are  likewise 
two  or  three  very  good  churches;  during  my  stay  there,  tho 
Uov.  Mr.  Smith  preached  every  sal)bn,lh  to  the  natives,  like- 
wise tljo  Rev.  Mr.  iJninou;  and  the  Kov.  Mr.  Armstrong. 
'V\\e  natives  aro  rather  above  the  niidillo  sialuro,  well  form- 
ed, of  a  mild  and  gonllo  disposition,  infjuisitivc,  and  intelli- 
gent; kind  to  strangers  and  to  each  otjjer;  they  wear  no 
clothing  to  speak  of,  excepting  some  of  tho  nobility  and  ser- 
vants tflflho  wliilo  peojjlo  that  reside  in  town.  Their  food 
is  very  simple,  likewise  cooking  utcnscls  and  liousoiiold  fur- 
niture, they  live  principally  in  mud  huts  thatched  with  grass, 
their  food  consists  mostly  ot  t'ruit,  such  as  |)ine  apples,  bannan- 
as,  oranges,  sugar  cane,  taro  and  pehe  or  fish,  which  they  gen- 
erally eat  raw;  1  have  seen  them  take  a  fish  from  tho  hook 
and  eat  alive  just  us  it  comes  from  liio  water.  1  .spoko  to  one 
that  was  eating  one  in  this  way,  said  it  was  no  good  raw,  no 
miti,  all  I  could  understand  from  him  was,  "pciie  miti,"  but 
I  learnt  they  relished  all  their  food  in  an  uncooked    slate. 

John  Grant  and  myself  took  a  tour  across  the  island,  were 
gone  a  week.  There  are  no  ronds;  but  foot-patli«;,  and  very 
hilly — no  timber  of  any  size,  but  in  places,  small  under- 
brush, very  thick,  resembling  our  witchhazel.  Tho  largest 
that  we  saw  was  the  cocoa  tree;  the  average  size  is  ono  foot 
in  diameter  and  fifty  or  sixty  high — no  limbs  except  at  the 
top;  where  the  nuts  hang  in  clusters  of  thirty  or  forty.  We 
saw  some  cattlo,  horses,  hogs  and  fowls.  There  are  some 
sheep,  but  no  wild  animals  on  this  island;  nor  birds,  to  speak 
of,  except  sea  birds.  Wo  came  to  a  creek — there  was  no 
bridge  across  it — we  were  preparing  to  ford  it  as  a  large, 
stout  canacker  came  up  and  made  signs  for  one  to  get  on  his 
back,  as  he  was  carried  across,  he  returned  and  cariied  me 
across,  tho  water  was  near  three  feet  deep,  and  about  forty 
yards  across,  they  would  persuade  us  at  every  hul  to,  "cou, 
cou,"  (eat).  The  taro  seems  to  be  the  only  and  principal 
dish  that  is  cooked*  it  is  a  nutritious  root,  about  the  size  of  our 
French  turnip,  and  cultivated  in  a  similar  manner,  it  does 
not  do  well  on  dry  land,  but  requires  moisture  to  thrive. 
They  roast  them  by  beating  stones,  and  then  lay  perhaps  a 
bushel  or  two  on  the  stone,  and  cover  all  with  turf,  leaves 
and  earth  to  keep  the  heat  in,  until  sufficiently  roasted,  they 
are  then  taken  out  peeled,  iayed  on  a  rock   procureti  for   the 


•ST'" 


WP  mnji  "ii  t.."L  '-»*-'"  '".*■'  L*''".* 


are  likewise 

ly  there,  the 

natives,  liko- 

Armstrong. 

well  form- 

mid    intolli- 

3y   wear   no 

ilily  and  ser- 

Their    food 

(iisoiiold  fur- 

il  witli  grass, 

)Ies,  bannan- 

ich  they  gon- 

n   the   hook 

spoke  to  one 

r)od  raw,    no 

10  miti,"  but 

{0(1    state. 

island,  were 

h*;,  and  very 

mall   under- 

Tho  largest 

0  is  one  foot 

'xoopt  at  the 

ibrtv.     We 

3  arc   some 

(IS,  to  speak 

ore    was  no 

as  a  largo, 

get  on  his 

criri  ied  mo 

^out   forty 

ul  to,  "cou, 

principal 

size  of  our 

ler,  it  does 

to    thrive. 

perhaps  a 

urf,  leaves 

astedf  thev 

e<i  for   the 


f  ATRIOT  IXILI. 


197 


fturpose,  beaten  with  a  stone  pestle  until  worked  into  a 
ump  resembling  a  mass  of  dough;  it  is  put  into  a  calabash 
(these  calabashes  resemble  a  gourd  shell,  are  round  with  a 
hole  cut  in  the  top,  and  will  hold  from  one  to  three  pecks,) 
water  is  added,  it  stands  until  it  ferments,  then  stirred  until 
it  becomes  thick  and  ropy,  it  is  now  called  poy — the  calabash 
is  set  in  the  centre  of  the  hut  upon  the  ground  or  flag  car* 
pet,  the  family  draws  around  it  and  dip  in  tiie  two  fore  nngers 
twist  two  or  three  times  around  until  a  bunch  nearly  the  size 
of  the  fist  adheres  to  them — throw  the  head  back  mouth  open, 
and  you  soon  loose  sight  of  it.  I  at  first  used  my  knife, 
took  a  little  to  taste,  expecting  that  little  would  cause  a  disa- 
greeable sensation  at  the  stomach,  but  our  fare  for  the  last 
six  or  seven  years  had  inured  us  to  attempt  n  trial  of  al- 
most anything  in  the  eating  line,  but  as  the  natives  had  a 
hearty  laugh  over  me  for  using  a  penkn'fe  to  eat  poy  with,  I 
at  once  dispensed  with  it,  and  used  tlie  two  fore  fingers; 
quite  a  wad  of  it  adhered  to  my  fingen^  by  merely  twisting 
them  once  around,  I  thought  it  impossible  for  me  to  get 
it  in  my  mouth,  but  noticing  it  was  not  more  than  half 
the  size  they  were  swallowing,  (and  not  at  a  slow  rate,)  I 
threw  my  head  back,  ma^e  two  or  three  attempts,  but  just  as 
it  was  going  into  my  mouth,  my  stomach  would  say  no,  in 
spile  of  all  my  elTorts:  they  saw  how  I  was  puzzled;  and  all 
set  up  a  laugh,  and  urging  me  by  saying  "miti,  miti,  cou, 
cou,  oury,  (that  is  good,  eat  it  whiteman)  at  last  1  succeeded 
in  swallowing  it,  and  soon  found  it  like  many  other  things, 
good  when  I  could  get  nothing  else.  Mr.  Grant  likewise, 
had  the  laugh  on  me,  for  as  I  was  trying  to  swallow  it,  he 
was  taking  it  down  at  no  small  rate,  urging  me  by  sayings 
(between  mouthfulls,)  "cou-cou,  Marsh,  miti,  miti,"  which 
caused  them  to  renew  their  laughter.  We  came  to  a  place 
where  they  had  some  fowls,  we  gave  them  to  understand  we 
wanted  one  cooked,  they  built  a  small  fire  with  sticks  and 
-grass  and  singed  the  feathers  off  and  was  about  to  roast  it 
without  any  farther  cleaning;  but  we  showed  them  how  to 
dress  and  cook  it,  so  it  relished  very  well.  They  cook  a  pig 
or  hog  by  singing  the  hair  off,  then  lay  it  upon  hot  stones, 
(without  taking  the  inwards  out,,  for  that  is  considered  the 
best)  cover  it  with  leaves  -and  grass,  and  then  four  or  five 
16  »» 


> '« 


!i« 


iil 


iti 


il 


I 


! 


[I 


198 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


•  4 


\h 


inches  of  dirt;  I  havo  ent  of  it  cooked  in  tliat  way  and  must 
say  it  is  sweeter  and  better  than  it  is,  cooked  in  any  otlier  way, 
(and  I  believe  I  hnve  eat  it  cooked  in  as  rnnny  ditferent  ways 
as  the  most  of  people).  The  dog  is  a  favorite  dish  and 
cooked  in  the  same  way, — but  you  perlinps,  will  bo  more  as- 
tonished, when  you  liear  that  they  are  layed  upon  the  fire  a- 
live,  for  tliey  consider  it  wrong  to  take  life  by  spilling  blood. 
They  have  their  superstitions,  but  on  the  whole,  they  seem 
harmless  and  siniple.  1  was  told  by  a  person  that  said  he 
had  known  them  before  the  white  people  had  come  to  live 
amongst  them — that  they  enjoyed  themselves  mucii  better 
than  they  have  since. 

Cut  I  must  drop  the  subject  at  once,  for  reasons  before 
mentioned:  The  climate  is  mild  the  year  round,  and  the 
most  of  the  time  warmer  tlian  in  America,  which  induces 
the  natives  to  be  in  the  water  a  good  share  of  the  time,  es- 
pecially the  children,  (or  pickaninies)  ns  soon  as  they  can 
walk,  they  make  for  the  sea  shore,  and  thero  remain  through 
the  day,  subsisting  on  muscles,  and  other  shell  fish.  It  is 
astonishing  to  see  them  dive,  and  the  lenj^th  of  time  they 
remain  under  water,  and  the  dextcrit}'-  and  prvinks  performed 
by  children  two,  three  and  four  I'ears  of  nge — those  that 
have  lived  a  long  time  there,  say  it  is  a  very  uncommon 
thing  to  hear  of  one  drowning;  the  wylienns  (or  women,) 
with  their  children,  are  to  be  seen  in  squads  along  the  beach, 
perhaps  thirty  or  forty  rods  from  the  shore,  diving  for 
clams,  muscles,  jrabs,  d:c.,  they  have  a  gourd  shell  that  sets 
upon  the  water,  they  having  a  siring  attached  to  it  and  a- 
round  the  neck,  so  that  it  cannot  float  away  whilst  they  are 
under  water  collecting  their  treasures;  when  the  shell  is  full 
they  make  their  way  to  their  wigwam  or  hut,  seemingly  as 
much  rejoiced  and  contented  in  eating  tiicm  raw,  and  nothing 
else  for  a  meal,  as  the  Queen  of  England  dining  upon  all  the 
luxuries  her  menials  can  procure  for  her,  from  all  parts  of 
the  world.  I  will  say  nothing  here  of  the  ways  and  means 
the  most  of  her  delicacies  are  procured,  for  as  near  as  I  can 
learn,  she  is  a  lady,  and  it  might  hurt  her  feelings,  especially 
if  she  was  made  sensible  of  the  treatment  of  thousands  of  her 
own  sex,  .by  those  that  have  be^r  creeping,  crawling  and 
fawning  around  her,  for  an  ofljce,  to  enable  them   to   whip, 


^T^- 


■pp" 


'±'-"'-.MS»S*.J..JJM*«'i 


y. 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


199 


f-' 


blarve,  steal  and  murder  according  to  law.  I  say  if  she  was 
«ensiblcot'  one  hail*  thu  dcce[/i,iuu  and  tyranny  practised  by 
these  harpies,  1  am  «urc  In.'r  delicate  stomach  would  loath 
the  delicacies  unjustly  ])rocurcd  for  lier  by  these  chaiactcrs. 
not  because  ihcy  love  her,  but  it  is  because  bv  Kcenin";  in  her 
graces,  they  can  the  more  easily,  liot  only  rob  the  people  ol' 
their  money  and  property,  but  enslave  them  lor  darmg  ttf  rc- 
j'ist  iuany  manner.  1  believe  the  Lady  Queen  would  abhor 
such  men  and  such  acts,  ii"  she  was  aware  ot'  the  inct,  but 
all  means  aie  resorted  to,  to  keL'[)  her  in  tlio  dark  respecting 
such  things.  Reader  do  you  su[)!)ose  that  anything  thai 
would  have  a  tendency  to  reveal  the  acts  of  some  oi'  ti)cse 
tyrants  that  clin^  so  close  around  the  chest  that  contains  tho 
pco|)l.\s  money,  would  be  countenanced  do  you  think  it  could 
pcssibly  como  to  her  knowledge?  no  !  no!  not  it!  the  .uuard 
IS  toostrou/?  !  ^'^entinels  arc  numerous  dav  and  nifrlit.  Thev 
lav  in  wait  dav  ar.d  ni;^i'.l;  to  detect  anvthins:  that  inioht  have 
a  tendency  to  reveal  their  bloody  a^ts. 

]^ut  slop  !  am  1  not  again  wandering  I'rom  my  subject ''. 
What  business  have  I  to  say  anything  about  ii '.'  Uecausc 
i  am  a  rc;)ublican  in.c  :..)\.  oilv  consider  it  mv  dutv  but  the 
dutv  ofovery  one  who  has  the  least  spark  ofrepublicanism  and 
patriotism  of  '  70  remaining,  to  endeavor  to  retiulse  the  ene- 
mv  whenever  th.ev  are  Ibund  upon  our  shores,  thrcateninLr 
to  overthrow^  and  enslave  us  again.  If  tiie  lessons  of  our 
foreiathers,  v/ith  Washington  at  their  head,  are  about  to  be 
disregarded  and  forgotien,  renew  the  dose;  if  there  is  any 
of  the  same  kind  of  medicine  left,  (and  men  to  deal  it  out) 
which  will  teach  the  oppressive  clan,  that  it  is  not  healthy 
lor  ihem  to  li\  e,  or  even  step  on  tho  ]n-emises  which  has 
cost  so  much  precious  blood,  in  wiesting  it  from  tv'rants. 
Let  every  good  man  speak  !  Be  not  afraid!  Reformers  of 
Canada,  speak  !  Every  man,  woman  and  child,  that  has  the 
good  of  the  people  at  heart,  not  only  speak,  but  act;  and  the 
work  is  done !  But  the  beautv  of  the  ihin^j  is,  to  act  in  uni- 
son;  and  then  there  will  be  no  danger  of  a  few  being  mur- 
dered, others  transported  and  persecuted  beyond  measure, 
whilst  others  are  laying  behind  the  bush  and  dare  not  show 
their  heads.  Why  ?  is  it  because  you  are  convinced  your 
i3ause  is  bad  ?     i'  No  !"     Well,  what  is   it  ?     It  is  because 


j;l 


I  <« 


1.1 


!l 


I! 


it 


200 


NARRATIVE  OF  A 


fi  'I 


ii 


(I 


!^ 


I 


>  i     * 


you  are  ai'raid  your  enemies  are  too  strong,  and  this  is  what 
makes  them  strong !  Speak  out,  and  act,  and  show  them 
your  determination  to  no  longer  submit  to  be  slaves,  and  your 
children  after  you  !  In  my  opinion,  it  is  a  poor  excuse,  to 
say,  all  who  were  engaged  in  the  rebellion  were  bad  men. 
1  shall  always  remember  one  great  man  and  otlieis  who  have 
said  it  by  their  actions,who,  ai  the  lime,  were  in  favor,  but 
now,  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  deserting  us.  I  believe  they 
are,  many  of  them,  and  manifest  it  by  not  speaking  to  us 
when  we  meet  them;  or  if  they  do  speak,  it  is  not  to  ask  us 
how  we  got  home,  or  of  our  broken  constitution  &c.  but  it  is 
merely  to  say — "Oh  !  I  knew  tlie  patriots  would  fail !"  &c. 
There  are  a  plenty  of  sucli  persons,  and  lliey  pass  for  good, 
great,  and  brave  men.  I  know  many,  but  the  question  is, 
and  should  be,  in  this  case;  Is  opposing  tyranny,  a  good  cause, 
or  is  it  not  ?  If  you  say  no;  why  then  1  stand  condemned. 
If  you  say  yes;  why  then  I  do  not  feel  condemned;  and  the 
more  and  the  louder  you  say  yes,  liic  better  I  shall  feel;  for 
it  is  the  lack  of  this  feeling  that  makes  me  sorrowful.  1  feel 
no  condemnation  or  sorrow  for  what  I  have  done  i)i  the  cause 
but  I  do  feci  sorry,  that  the  friends  of  liberty  are    so    back- 

"Yes    it  is  a  good 


say. 


ward,   lukewarm,    and  so  loth  to 

cause,  and  it  is  chiefly  our  backwardness  in  declaring 
it,  that  has  been  the  sole  cause  of  your  suffering  so  much 
unjust  punishment  from  the  hands  of  tyrants — we  must  with 
the  rest  of  your  persecutors,  cry  guilty,  guilty;  we  have  not 
done  our  duty."  For  my  part  1  will  forgive  you,  if  you  will 
agree  to  do  better  next  time,  though  it  is  a  hard  case  to  look 
over.   ;    s  ^  . 

The  most  of  the  foreigners  there,  are  traders  and  mechan- 
ics; the  climate  being  so  warm,  there  is  not  much  manual 
labor  done  by  them,  but  all  the  drudgery  or  labor  is  done 
])rincipally  by  the  natives.  There  was  a  person  that  had 
been  a  long  time  amongst  them — as  we  were  conversing  a- 
bout  the  natives,  he  told  me  of  a  giant  Queen,  her  name  I 
have  forgotten;  who  ruled  at  the  time  the  white  people  be- 
gan to  visit  their  island — they  was  supposed  to  be  angels  of 
the  good  spirit,  sent  to  do  them  good,  and  by  her,  and  the 
most  of  her  subjects  were  worshipped  and  respected;  if  there 
was  any  of  her  subjects  that  did   not  pay  the  respect  to  the 


^ 


IWM 


m$iM.: 


this  is  what 
show  them 
s,  and  your 

excuse,  to 
•e  bad  rnen. 
s  who  have 
[\  favor,  but 
lelieve  they 
aking  to  us 
ot  to  ask  us 
Sec.  but  it  is 

fail !"  &c. 
ss  for  good, 

question  is, 
good  cause, 
condemned, 
icd;  and  the 
all  feel;  for 
^'tul.  1  feel 
!  in  the  cause 
;*e    so    back- 

it  is  a  good 
n   declaring 
50   much 

e  must  with 
*ve  have  not 
if  you  will 
ase  to  look 

Ind  mechan- 
ich  manual 
ibor  is  done 
Ion  that  had 
Inversing  a- 
ler  name  I 

people  be- 
angels  of 

ler,  and  the 
led;  if  there 

ppect  to  the 


PATRIOT  EXILE. 


'201 


white  man,  (or  oury)  that  she  wished  or  requested  of  them, 
he  said  it  was  not  uncommon  for  her  in  that  case,  to  take  a 
kanacker,  wyhena,  orpickaniny,  and  kill  them  by  breaking 
their  backs  across  her  knees.  I  remarked  that  I  thought 
the  ourys  in  return  for  such  civilities  and  such  sacrifices  and 
honors  on  their  part,  should  consider  themselves  in  duty 
bound  to  treat  them  with  the  greatest  respect  and  civility  pos- 
sible, in  order  to  fully  convince  them  that  the  approach  and 
appearance  of  the  white  man,  oury,  angels  or  good  spirits, 
was  not  to  enslave  them  or  make  them  miserable,  but 
to  do  them  good.  I  hope  they  will  not  be  mistaken,  "to  be 
sure,"  said  he,  "they  have  abolished  their  idols  and  have 
many  of  them  embraced  the  religion  and  belief  of  the  mis- 
sionaries, and  in  a  measure,  the  arts,  sciences,  manners  and 
customs  of  the  ouries;  yet  on  the  whole,  said  he,  "there 
appears  to  be  something  wrong,  I  know  it  is  generally  believed 
that  it  has  proved  a  great  blessing  to  the  natives,  **yet,  said  he, 
(shaking  his  head)  "as  civilization  increases,  they  seem  gen- 
erally more  unhappy,  and  out  of  their  elements,  and  certain- 
ly they  are  fast  diminishing  in  nunibers — and  it  appears 
according  to  the  past,  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  jthere 
will  be  no  more  kanackers,  wyhenas  and  pickaninies,  except 
the  ouries  assume  the  names."  He  seemed  a  very  sensible 
man,  but  many  that  have  not  seen  for  themselves,  would  not 
credit  all  that  he  said  upon  the  subject;  and  perhaps  not  any 
— so  I  shall  drop  the  subject,  and  1  suppose  it  would  have 
been  better  for  me  to  have  said  nothing  about  it,  but  you  are 
welcome  to  tliese  few  hints. 

Whilst  we  were  there,  knowing  that  it  would  be  hard  for 
all  to  get  a  passage  on  one  ship,  two  of  our  party  went  to  the 
Columbia  River,  two  to  California,  three  shipped  on  board 
the  Samuel  Robertson,  that  had  been  out  three  years  and  a 
half,  and  had  not  got  a  load.  After  being  gone  from  Hono- 
luly  three  months,  trying  to  make  a  load,  returned,  took  in 
provisions,  water,  &c.,  and  prepared  for  a  homeward  course 
and  if  possible  to  make  out  her  load  on  the  way.  The  cap- 
tain said  he  would  take  six  more  and  the  three  that  had 
shipped,  was  nine  to  work  our  passage,  accordingly  on  the 
first  of  October,  1845.  after  stopping  on  the  island  four 
months,  we  went  on  board  the  whale  ship,  Samuel  Robertson, 


i 


i. 


v^ 


202 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


Jt'\ 


i  T 


! 


Captain  Warner,  bound  Tor  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts. 
We  are  now  on  our  way,  and  soon  cross  tlie  equator, 
into  the  south  Pacific,  touching  at  soino  of  the  Society 
Islands  on  our  way,  and  after  cruising  soma  six  weeks  for 
whale — seeing  a  number,  but  not  taking  one,  the  captain 
becoming  sensible  that  it  was  on  account  of  iiis  bad  treatment 
to  the  crew,  that  there  was  none  taken,  abandoned  the  idea 
or  hopes  of  makirg  out  a  full  cargo  cf  oil,  and  laid  his 
course  for  Cape  Ilorn.  It  was  in  January  and  mid-summer, 
when  wo  doubled  the  capo;  it  was  considered  tiie  best  time 
in  the  year,  but  in  .this  high  southern  latitude,  there  is  plenty 
of  cold  wind  rain  and  snow  the  year  round.  Here  lor  ten 
or  twelve  days  we  experience  cold  and  rough  weather.  All 
seamen  dread  doubling  Cape  Horn,  vessels  are  often  lost  in 
this  boisterous  place;  thunder,  lightning,  rain,  wind,  snow 
and  hail,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  are  to  be  encountered 
here.  It  requires  strict  walch  day  and  niglit,  (though 
there  is  but  little  night),  yet  the  sun  is  hardly  ever  seen,  bat 
constantly  cloudy,  gloomy  and  disagreeable;  three  or  four 
times  during  the  ten  or  twelve  days  in  these  latitudes,  all 
hands  were  called  to  assist  those  that  were  on  duty;  in  the 
taking  in  of  sail  and  in  securing,  or  trying  to  secure  frag- 
ments of  sail,  yard-arms,  (Sec,  tiiat  had  been  blown  over- 
l)oard,  but  still  hanging  by  some  of  the  many  ropes  attached 
to  them,  and  some  alltogether  broke  loose  and  gone.  As  it 
would  require  volumes  to  portray  fully  the  calms  and  storms, 
disasters,  and  perils  of  ihc  ocean,  or  of  a  sea-faring  lite,  it 
cannot  be  expected  to  be  fully  explained  here. 

After  doubling  Cape  Horn,  the  only  place  we  called  at, 
was  Pernambuco,  on  the  Brazilian  Coast.  The  cap- 
tain and  boats  crew  went  ashore  and  purchased  some  fruit, 
fresh  meat  &c.  Nothing  of  importance  occured  from  there 
to  New  Bedford,  more  than  usual.  We  met  a  number  of 
ships;  some  whalers,  outward  bound,  some  merchant-men 
&c.  some  in  hailing  distance,  and  some  not.  Passed  one  or 
two  small  islands — one  wreck — experienced  some  two  or 
three  heavy  storms  of  rain  and  wind,  but  no  worse  than  we 
had  encountered.  On  the  9th.  of  March  1846,  "Land  O!"  was 
shouted  from  the  mast  head.  On  the  Idth,  in  the  morning 
the  PJichor  was  cast,  and  at  10  o'clock  the  sanie  day,  after  sev- 


!U 


^rapwmKmm 


i^ij8*BJSaiiSSiig«»!M£^^ 


■  --M**-^.**.  ■     ifOi  •.K»t.j%A^ 


sachusetts. 
)  equator, 
e  Society 
weeks  ibr 
10  captain 
I  treatment 
d  the  idea 
\  laid  Jiis 
d-SLiniiner, 

best  time 
ro  is  plenty 
jre  lor  ten 
tiier.  All 
en  lost  in 
vind,  snow 
ncountered 
t,  (though 
ir  seen,  but 
30  or  four 
ititudes,  all 
ty;  in  the 
pcure  iVag- 
own   over- 

s  attached 
ue.  As  it 
md  storms, 
(ig  lite,    it 

called  at, 
The  cap- 
ome  fruit, 

om  there 
lumber  of 
chant-men 
ed  one  or 
le  two  or 
e  than  we 
dO!"  was 
I  morning 

after  sev- 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


203 


r 


en  years  and  four  and  a  half  months  absence,  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  stepping  upon  oin*  native  hoW  in  the  flourising  town  of 
Now  Bed  lord  and  received  tiiu  greetings  of  its  warm  hearted 
and  [)hilanliiropic  inliubilrints.  Header,  do  you  think  we 
were  glad  ?  Alter  passing  through  nuicli  more  than  is  herein 
described,  and  having  been  round  il;u  world  as  it  is  called, 
and  on  rn  eslimaio  by  some  two  or  three  of  us  before  leav- 
ing the  sliip,  as  near  as  we  coulJ  judge,  we  had  sailed  upon 
the  four  occjans:  Allnntic,  indi.'m,  Norili  and  »Soulh  i-'acifics, 
in  cruising  lor  v.'lialc.s,  by  being  driven  by  t-torms,  something 
like  teventy-scvcn  ibousLind  n:ilc.s;  four  months  and  a  half 
trom  C^uobcc  to  Van  Dieniaii's  Land,  sixteen  thousand;  three 
months  from  there  to  ilonolula,  iSr.ndv,  ic!i  h.lands  thirteen 
thousrmd,  and  six  months;  from  tliere  to  New  Bedford,  eigh- 
teen thousand  miles,  makes  thirteen  and  one  half  months  on 
the  v/ator;  Lut  in  cruising  t^c.  brings  it,  as  nenr  as  uc  could 
estimate,  ut  seventy-seven  lliousand  miles;  having  crossed  the 
equator  four  tinscs;  raiti  seen  tlio  sun,  moon  ?ind  stars  at 
12  o'  clock  in  ihe  day,  directly  over  our  heads;  and  iiavo 
seen  some  warm  weather  tliere  c;lso.  ^'.  eil.  says  one — "yoii 
have  seen  so  much,  it  };as  v.'ell  paid  you  for  the  time  you 
have  lo.-Jl.''  i]ut  stou  !  did  vou  ever  knov;  what  it  is  to  be 
a  prisoner  under  the  British  and  trcnicd  in  the  manner  we 
have  been,  for  the  last  six  or  seven  years,  and  with  a  broken 
constitution  0^:c.  If  you  know  anything  of  tlii^-,  me  thinks 
you  could  not  easily  be  compensated;  if  you  could,  please  tell 
me  how. 

On  landing,  you  must  know,  our  clollies  were  not  of  tho 
best  quality  nor  of  the  cleanest  hind,  after  being  on  board 
a  wh.'.ler  six  months;  but  as  soon  as  we  gave  the  people  i^ 
short  account  of  who  we  were,  and  wliere  we  had  been  and 
what  we  had  been  there  ibr,  Mr,  'i'iiom:;.s  Asliley  Vv'ailed  on 
us  to  No  3"  Swallow-Street;  whe;'e  he  kei>ta  boarding  house, 
and  lold  us  we  were  welcome  to  stop  there  until  there  was 
some  arrangements  made  to  forward  us  to  our  desired  homes. 
We  soon  found  a  friend  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  strug- 
gle for  the  liberty  of  the  Canadas,  in  1837  and  8,  by  the 
name  of  Col.  Benjamin  A! my,  who  had  fortunately,  escaped; 
likewise,  Mr.  Timothy  Ingraham,  who  was  on  our  western 
frontier  at  the  lime.     Uv  their  influenco  with  Elder  jVIoses. 


5: 


ii 


204 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


Howe,  Capt.  Charles  Salsbury  and  others,  a  meeting  was 
called  and  the  I'eeling  that  was  manifested  by  the  ladies  as 
well  as  the  gentlemen,  on  our  return  to  our  native  land,  and 
the  prospect  of  soon  arriving  at  our  homes,  to  rejoice  the 
hearts  of  our  friends  who  had  so  long  mourned  our  absence, 
and  horrible  sufl'erings,  in  a  righteous  cause,  I  say  the  sim- 
pathy  and  feelings  manifested  by  the  people  of  New  Bedford, 
cannot  easily  be  described.  Our  having  been  so  long  in  a 
mild  climate,  and  landing  in  the  month  of  March,  it  being 
cold  and  stormy,  we  all  took  severe  colds,  so  that  on  the 
day  after  landing,  there  was  scarcely  one  of  us  who  could 
speak  above  a  whisper.  That  together  with  our  want  of 
comfortable  clothing  and  the  means  to  purchase  any,  and 
landing  amongst  strangers,  caused  us  at  first,  to  feel  rather 
uneasy;  but  those  feelings  soon  vanished,  on  being  convinced 
by  acts,  that  we  were  not  among  christians  merely  by  pro- 
fession,  but  those  who  did  as  they  would  wish  to  be  done  by. 
Certainly,  we  needed  help;  and  it  was  no  sooner  known  than 
received — and  to  uU  appearances,  from  a  source  that  had 
no  desire  to  have  it  published  at  corners  of  the  streets  and  on 
the  house  tops;  and  on  that  account,  it  was  gladly  received; 
and  may  such  friends  be  many  and  prosperous  in  our  land. 

-XV'e  remained  here  three  days,  and  by  the  intiuence  of  our 
friends  before  mentioned,  with  the  rail  road  proprietor,  a 
free  passage  was  granted,  and  we  were  soon  on  our  way  from 
New  Bedford  to  Utica.  Here,  we  called  at  the  city  coffee 
house;  kept  by  Mr.  J.  Beston,  a  gentleman.  Here  many 
flocked  around  to  see  us,  and  appeared  quite  friendly.  Here 
1  saw  Esq.  Thomas;  of  Farmington;  who  was  acquainted 
with  my  brother  Charles;  said  he  was  as  well  as  usual,  and 
keeping  a  public  house  at  Avon  Springs.  He  likewise, 
informed  me  of  the  death  of  a  sister  who  had  been  married 
but  a  short  time. 

Here  we  separated,  Leonaid  Delano,  David  House,  Orrin 
W.  Smith,  Luther  Darby,  John  Grant,  Nathan  Whiting 
and  Joseph  Thompson,  took  the  stage  for  Watertown,  Jeffer- 
son County;  James  D.  Fero  and  myself,  continued  on  in  the. 
cars  to  Canandaigua,  where  I  found  my  brother  and  his 
wife  from  Avon,  on  a  visit  to  their  friends,  accordingly  1 
left  the  car,  and  proceeded  with  them  to  Avon,    Mr.   Fero 


PATRIOT   EXILE. 


205 


fleeting  was 
36  ladies  as 
t^e  land,  and 
►  rejoice  the 
ur  absence, 
ay  the  sim- 
3\v  Bedford, 
30  long  in  a 
ih,  it  being 
that  on  the 
who  could 
Lir  want  of 
3  any,  and 
•  feel  rather 
5  convinced 
ely  by  pro. 
je  done  by. 
inown  than 
ce  that  had 
'eets  and  on 
y  received; 
pur  land, 
snce  of  our 
oprietor,  a 
[•  way  from 
city  coffee 
lere  many 
lly.  Here 
acquainted 
usual,  and 
B  likewise, 
3n  married 

iise,  Orrin 
Whiting 

vn,  JefTer- 
on  in  the. 
and    his 

rdingly   I 

Vlr.   Fero 


continued  on  his  way  to  Buffalo,  thence  to  Michigan,  where 
he  expected  to  find  his  friends. 

1  remained  at  Avon  a  short  time,  being  informed  that  a 
petition  had  been  circulated  and  freely  signed  by  many 
friends  in  that  vicinity  in  my  behalf,  likewise  the  exertions 
used  and  sympathy  manifested,  as  well  for  myself  as  my 
comrades  in  bonds,  caused  me  to  believe,  (however  dark  and 
gloomy  our  prospects  had  been  for  years  past)  that  we  were 
not  altogether  forgotten,  that  liiere  were  those  and  not  a  few, 
who  have  sympathized,  and  been  willing  to  do  all  in  their 
power,  to  free  us  from  the  hands  of  tyrants  and  the  enemies 
of  universal  freedom,  to  all  sucii  as  have  done  all  in  their 
power,  as  well  as  those  that  wished  us  well,  but  could  do 
nothing  more;  may  I  venture  in  this  to  render  you  my 
hearty  and  sincere  tlianks,*  and  at  the  same  time,  venture  to 
say,  you  have  the  thanks  and  good  wishes  of  all  my  com- 
rades, who  with  myself  were  engaged  in  a  cause,  which, 
whether  prosperous  or  not,  is  a  credit  to  any  people  or  nation, 
and  be  assured,  through  all  our  sufferings,  have  never,  and 
1  hope  never  will  acknowledge  it  any  other  than  an  honor- 
able, just,  and  licly  act,  even  to  fail  in. 

From  Avon  1  procrecded  to  l)ul]hlo,  where  i  found  my 
father,  mother,  and  youngest  sister.  As  most  or  all  of  my 
readers  have  eitlier  heard,  seen  or  e.\])erienced  llie  meeting 
of  a  long  absent  lelalive,  1  need  not  attempt  an  explanation. 
AlthDugh  time  had  visibly  and  materially  changed  their  ap- 
])earance,  yet  I  found  them  enjoying  as  good  health  as  could 
be  expected.  The  old  gentleman  says — "did  you  receive  a 
letter  of  such  a  date?"  I  said  I  did  !  (laughing  heartily). 
Says  he — "I  thought  they  would  let  you  have  that  one  !" 

Kind  reader,  my  task  is  nearly  finished.  If  you  have 
taken  any  pleasure  in  perusing  these  few  lines,  comprising, 
as  they  do,  an  account  of  so  much  inhuman  treatment  and 
suffering,  1  am  glad;  but  be  assured,  although  true,  the  pen- 
ning of  them,  has  been  anything  but  an  agreeable  task  to  me. 
Since  my  return,  I  have  been  to  Canada  and  am  happy  to 
inform  my  comrades  as  well  as  all  who  would  liJ-e  to  know, 
that  we  were  not  mistaken  in  the  belief  that  a  maj-)rity  of 


*  Mr.  J.  Uosincr  of  jVvon,  in  particular. 


^■ii.u 


200 


NARRATIVE  OP  A 


i 


It 


iho  respectable  inhabitants,  especially  on  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  Yonge-Sireet,  were,  in  ltt:i7  and  8,  not  only  willing,  but 
anxious  that  their  country  should  be  freed  irorn  despots  that 
are  palmed  upon  it  as  rulers  aud  law  makers,  iVom  the,  shall 
I  say  mother  country,  that  cnnnot  know  the  wants  of  the 
peo;)le,  but  havo  had,  and  do  have  a  very  singular  way  oi' 
exacting  tribute  for  services  rendered;  every  aci  having  a 
tendency,  sooner  or  later,  to  sap  the  loundation  of  thciirna'.u- 
rally,  highly  favored  colonies.  It  has  been  against  the 
acts  and  daring  barefaced  demands  of  ^uch  ciiaractcrs,  that 
the  poople  have  asked,  repeatedly  asked,  humbly  petitioned, 
and  prayed  that  their  grievances  mig!»t  be  redressed,  and  the 
repeated  refusal  and  denial  to  grant  their  just  rcnuesis,  vvas 
the  principal  cause  for  re.soriing  to  arms;  though  the  reform- 
ers did  not  seek  after  this  last  and  desperate  report,  but  wore 
driven  tj  it  by  this  formidable  band  of  robbers  who  have  so 
greedily  glutted  themselves  oa  the  bhjod  and  horrible  sutlcr- 
ings  of  those  who  boldly  stepj)ed  forth  in- defence  of  our  iib- 
criy  and  equal  rights,  but  did  not  succeed. 

i  think  i  have  given  hints  sullicient,  in  this  work  to  con- 
vince any  reasonrible  person  that  it  was  not  the  fault  of  those 
who  su  tie  red;  and  that  it  was  not  because  Canada  did  not 
want  or  stand  in  need  of  freedom  or  that  the  cause  vvas  bad. 
1  am  of  the  opinion  of  many  whom  1  have  conversed  with. 
in  Canada:  that  it  could  not  be  a  bad  cause,  when  it  has  been 
the  means  of  bringing  about  so  much  good  to  the  j)eordo  of  Can- 
ada; and  althougii  many  havo  not  lived  to  see  it,  and  others 
have  suffered  much  in  bringing  it  about,  the  good  results  will 
be  distilled  in  the  minds  of  the  rising  generation;*  and  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  the  work  of  reform  will  still  go  on  without  a 
resort  to  arms;  but  if  it  should  again  be  nescessary,  may  the 
pas:  ])rove  a  good  lesson;  and  in  ihe  attem[)t  for  freedom, 
may  there  be  a  general  rush  to  the  standard,  that  it  may  be 


^Especially  if  they  are  all  as  fortunate  in  selecting  tcacliers,  as  flie  New  Mark«;t 
District  sciiool;  and  as  untiring  in  tlicir  etibrts  to  instill  litieral  luincipluii  intu  the 
luindti  of  the  rising;  gcneniiion,  as  Mr.  ]N .  M.  U  whom  I  hnil  the  i/ensure  of  Hetiiig 
and  cotiveriiinK  with  n  short  time.  1  luucit  say— the  kind,  open-bearii-d,  liberal  prin- 
ciples taught  by  him  and  u^  Uber.illy  and  evidently  seen  in  his  pupils,  cannot  but  be 
admired  by  all  who  may  have  the  pleasure  of  visiting  tlicni.  1  ain  cunfidenl  that 
if  such  principles  are  universally  ditfused,  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  Canada 
will  be  free.  May  i<od  send  many  such  teachers;  and  may  the  children  be  swiU 
lo  lea.n  and  their  parents  live  to  see  the  happy  results. 


the  vicinitv 
willing,  but 
dcspoUs  thai 
ri  the,  shall 
;aiiis  of  the 
liar  way  oi' 
,ct  huviiig  a 
'  thoir  uaiu- 
against  the 
•acters,  that 

j)etitioiicd, 
e:i,  and  the 
:f|uesl.s,  vvasi 
ihc  retbrni- 
t,  but  wore 
^ho  have  so 
rible  sutlcr- 

ol'  our  iib- 

oilv  to  con- 
iilt  of  lliose 
ida  did  not 
se  was  bad. 
3rsed  with, 
it  has  been 
">!)le  of  Can- 

nd  others 
results  will 

and  it  is  to 
\  without  a 

,  may  the 
iVeedom, 
it  may  ba 


New  IVTark«;t 
cipled  iiitu  the 
I  so  re  «»f  seeiHj: 
1,  liberal  priii- 
caiiiiot  but  be 
cuntideiil  that 

when  Canada 
drcu  be  s\vil( 


PATRIOT    EXILE. 


207 


defended  and  maintained,  witljout  disgrace  or  causing  liip 
loss  of  so  many  lives,  while  struggling,  ns  it  wore,  single 
handed;  and  causing  the  .dd  proverb  to  be  again  verified. — 
'^United,  we  stand;  divided,  we  fail."  If  you  arc  determined 
it  shall  1)0  *'uiiitcd  we  sinnd  !"  if  I  cannot  be  with  vou  in 
person,  b"  assured  you  have  my  best  wishes. 

Likewise,  for  the  friendly  feelings  and  favors  received 
from  the  wnrm  hcarLod  friends,  on  and  about  Yonge-Strrct, 
those  of  my  c  'mrndes  whom  I  have  seen  and  conversed 
with,  unite  witli  me  in  snyirg — may  the  love  of  freedom 
wlrch  seems  to  bo  burning  in  the  hearts  of  so  many,  tliough 
pent  up,  yet  hrruk  forth  in  a  brigiit  and  overwhelming  (Inme 
tiiat  will  cruise  their  eneniirs  to  iloe  before  it  as  witii  the 
speed  of  lightning,  until  there  shall  not  be  one  left  to  delight 
in  the  miseries  of  the  oppressed;  and  learn  that  the  birthright 
of  man,  is  libertv. 


FINIS. 


